Sushi Station
1641 Algonquin Rd, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
Sushi Station Menu
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Address :
1641 Algonquin Rd
Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008 - Phone (847) 593-2450
- Website https://www.sushistation.us
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Pete B.
conveyor belt sushi in Chicagoland? First one I've been to. I personally didn't try the sushi because everything looked like supermarket sushi. The quality wasn't the greatest and the freshness seemed almost nonexistent. I know I can't expect anything to be on par with conveyor belt sushi in Japan, but this was just plain disappointing. It's not really that cheap too if you want a filling meal. So I got the tempura set instead ($7 for 2 prawns, carrots, and some fried vegetables), and it was SURPRISINGLY decent yet a little expensive for a place with pretty much no decor. It was quite a big surprise, but still, for the people who would go there for sushi, I wouldn't really recommend it. If you're a first time sushi-trying, maybe you could go there to sample a few rolls, but don't go there with high expectations though.
(2)Yu H.
This place is deceptively expensive. Every time I go I figure I'd eat 3 or 4 plates of food which sounds like a lot but when its only 2 rolls or 3 bites per plate it will add up. I usually end up with about 8-9 plates and what could have been a reasonably priced meal turns into a $30 dollar tab. Then again, what I'm paying for is variety and there is no other place where I can dine on 8-9 different things for dinner in one sitting. The food itself is decent quality, the volume of business there ensures a certain freshness. I never grab stuff off the belt because god knows how long its been there. The best thing to do is just order it off menu which they are glad to take. They don't even try to hide the mostly Hispanic staff cooking and making the sushi which I really have no problem with. Just be careful when you go because those 2 bites for 2-3 dollars really add up.
(3)Anna B.
Yesterday was my first time here. Want to have a sushi buffet experience on a budget? Try Sushi Station. But don't get it twisted, budget does not equal cheap quality. Budget means it won't break your wallet, while filling your mouth and belly with varied and delicious sushi pieces. Conveyor belt - awesome. Sushi goes past you, you grab what you want. Sushi is in colored plates which coincide with certain price ranges, anywhere from .50 a plate to $5.25. 2-4 pieces on each plate. Label with prices is right in front of your as you dine. You can also order from a menu, but in time almost everything they offer will probably travel past your hungry eyes. At least it did when we were there. Sushi is great quality, very tasty, and good sized portions. We will be back.
(4)Kristo E.
Second best sushi place in the Chicago area. The first being Kimberli on lawrence.
(5)Phill C.
One of my favorite places to get sushi. Another place I've tried based on my Japanese co-workers recommendations. The rotating conveyor belt of food isn't just some gimmick, the sushi is actually very fresh and reasonably priced. The food selection on the conveyor belt comprise mostly of nigri and rolls, with some appetizer and desert offerings. Their menu also features a hot food options as well as featuring their entire selection of rolls/nigri. The price of each plate of food is based on the color of the plate. Very fun and delicious way to enjoy great sushi.
(4)Jasmin V.
Very awesome concept. Not awesome sushi. But what can you expect from sushi sitting out made my Mexicans? If you want quality sushi go elsewhere, if you want a cool concept and overpriced sushi that isn't amazing then you've found your place.
(2)Amanda B.
I wish I could eat here every day. Everything is delicious. There are new rolls to try every time I'm there. And I can leave feeling way too full and not even spend $10! The taste, to me, is the same quality as some higher end, fancier sushi retaurants I've been to, and you can't beat these prices. This is a hoppin spot, if you come during dinner time, expect to wait for at least ten minutes and expect to feel a little bit rushed as you eat, as it is a somewhat small restaurant and you can feel the servers lingering near you, waiting to see when you'll finish. Because of this, I wouldn't think it the best date spot. But if your craving good sushi, you'll be in and out of this place in a jiff, and most definitely satisfied!
(4)Jake H.
My sister says Sushi Station is expensive, and it can be, but it's really as expensive as you want it (or can't help but allow it) to be. Especially if you go for Lunch. Lots of $1.25 plates with 2-3 pieces of sushi on them. Filling up on sushi for $7 isn't common. Buuuut, you can splurge and get fancier things, which will diversify your experience and increase the cost of your bill. Your choice. As for the food: it's the most experimental sushi I've ever had. Lots of different things to try, most of them good. My advice is to get whatever sounds pleasing to your pallet. Read the signs, decide which ingredients sound like they'd mesh well. (I, for instance, do not like cream cheese on my sushi.) But it's also an opportunity to try new things, so don't be afraid to grab a plate or two that sounds mysterious or weird. It'll probably be worth it.
(4)Andrea H.
Always a great experience with great food! Love their traditional and special rolls. Very reasonable prices for good quality sushi.
(5)Sherwin C.
Interesting sushi restaurant. It's a little bit pricier than some other restaurants that you can go to, pretty small, and noisy. However, 2 things make it stand out. The sushi conveyer belt allows for a unique dining experience plus you can pretty much watch the chefs as they prepare the food. Sushi station also carries nicer grades of fish than most sushi restaurants nearby. This compliment only applies if the price of uni, chutoro, or otoro really doesn't matter that much to you. Wild Fish in Arlington Heights and Sushi Ai in Palatine do carry the nicer fish as well if you don't trust 3-5 dollars a bite to this style of dining.
(4)Andrew J.
Once upon a time I did not care how much money I spent on things. Mostly, this is because I was foolish with my money, and did not think that there would ever come a time where I had to grow up and live like a man. There are problems making this transition, however. Sushi is one of my favorite foods ever, and it's flippin expensive man. I want to eat it all the time and that's just not possible anymore. Enter Sushi Station. In a nutshell, Sushi station allows me to eat the food that I love the most (sushi) for a much more reasonable price than most other places. No, I still can't eat it every day, but if that's a sacrifice I have to make so that I can afford to live, then so be it. At least I don't have to eat the stuff they sell at the grocery store which is crusty enough that it should probably be sold in the aisle with toxic chemical cleaners because it will induce vomiting. Is this the best sushi I have ever had? No. Is this place way too small for the amount of business they have? Yes. Does it deserve 3.5 stars/5 instead of four? Yes. But Yelp does not do the half star dealie. So why go there if money is not an option? That's a good question, but I've thought about it. See, the sushi comes around the restaurant in this refrigerated tube, and what I like to do is take out the sushis that I think other people down the line will want the most. Then I will eat the sushi, depriving and potentially irritating someone else who really was looking forward to eating a dragon roll. Suckers. They've just been had by my judicious tastes. It's a little game I like to play. You should try it. It's mildly sadistic and kind of fun. I'm bitter about not having money any more. Anyway, give it a try. At best, you've had some pretty decent sushi and spent less than ususal. At worst, you know I suck as a reviewer and you can just go back to your usual spot. Think about it.
(4)Steven L.
Worst place EVER to have sushi!! WORST SERVICE EVER! My friends and I went there and they make us wait despite there are empty table. We were party of 5 and 3 of us arrived. There was 2 large empty tables and they insist don't seat us. OK, fine, I wait a little bit.. Meanwhile they gave one of the empty table to another couple who just walk in.. Then, we sat down (finally!!).. My another friend came by to join us. So now we have a party of 6. My friend just wanna stop by and chat. However, the manager told us that he can't sit here. "If he's not eating, he has to sit outside on the waiting bench by himself!". That's just rule. Never in my lifetime a restaurant said that to a customer. NEVER go there again!! Their sushi is not fresh at alll NOT.. They just make roll to feed those people who don't know what is real sushi.
(1)Amanda G.
Conveyer belt sushi... Need I say more? The whole appeal to this place is definitely that the sushi moves around on a conveyer belt allowing what you to choose what you want. Of course you can also order off the menu but where's the fun in that? They have a great variety of sushi rolls and sashimi going around as well as some dessert options too. You also might have a few laughs from some of the description cards. This is a great sushi place in the burbs. I've been here a couple times now and it's always a solid sushi place. The plates that go around in the conveyer belt are priced by color so it's easy to tell how much the items cost. It's a fun place to go for lunch or dinner.
(3)Kayu T.
PROS: There's only 3 reasons that people should come here for: - If you were about to die of hunger and any junk would safe your life. - If you really really really want to be cool & hip and experience the "As seen in Movies" Japanese conveyor belt sushi. (everyone should try it once in a life time i must say..) - They had a cute bottled drink that I just had to try cause it involved shaking it 10 times to "activate jelly" inside. Yes, that was fun and good. CONS: These are only the cons I noticed during our 25 min stay - There were no lines, but when we walked in, no one greeted us to see if we needed a seat. We actually had to go up to the paying register to get someone to help us. - The rice's flavor was off, which then affected the texture of the rice.. it was hard to even pick up a piece of maki without having parts of it stuck to another piece. - The selection of sushi is beyond miniature. Rolling imitation crab salad with different fillers like cream cheese, mayo spicy sauce, or greasy tempura poo crumbs does not = selection. - So after waiting for the belt to go around 5 times to see if there's other fresh fish selection besides mayo plastered tuna or crab salad.. we gave up and gave their menu a try instead. We got the Japanese Cold Tofu with ginger & onion. Mine you, not ALL tofu are made the same.. and for this particular traditional and very comment Japanese dish, everyone knows its supposed to be SILKY SMOOTH SOFT tofu that should just glide down your throat. These people gave me a firm block of CHUNKY tofu that was RUBBERY and nearly frozen in the center. It was soooooooo gross that I had to say something about it to the waitress. Her response was an abrupt "This is our version" and then she ran away. She did not even ask if she should take it away or cancel it. The plate was untouched!!!! We literally threw up the one bite we took. - 4 pieces of strawberries, each split into halves accommodated with a a spoonful of canned condensed milk should not be on the conveyor belt for over 2 dollars. - Besides the person collecting your dollars at the end of your wonderful experience, everyone making your sushi was not Japanese. Not to say anyone else can't make good sushi, but seriously, no one was a "chef" at this place. SUMMARY: I Will NOT RETURN and Strongly recommend people to stay away!!!!
(1)Jeanne L.
Cheap sushi and fun concept. Quality is good but not great. This is NOT a high quality sushi restaurant; rather it's a cheaper and "fun" sushi place. Don't come here expecting great sashimi or anything. Wait was about 10 minutes on a Tuesday night at 6pm. Spider roll: overrated. Not that good here. Don't get it, about $6. Volcano Roll: simple but very good, will get again Inferno Roll: also good, but the fish could have been a little colder Philly Roll: bf said this was one of the best he's had Shrimp Harmony: this is such a ghetto roll, but I like it alot. Shrimp, corn, mayo. :p Scallop nigiri: raw scallops, pretty good, nice and sweet Miso soup: not bad, hard to mess up Chocolate strawberries dessert: not bad, but again, hard to mess up Overall service was great; it's a small restaurant and it's pretty much bar style since everyone sits around the sushi "train", so they're constantly refilling your drink and it only takes a glance their way to let them know you'd like something. 2 people for about $30, and very full. Good deal!
(4)Vick C.
Ok Sushi station used to be one of the sushi place I go so often, but from now on, NO MORE!! Their sushi now...just yuck! Once i got into the restaurant I feel the place was extremely hot, not sure if they turned on their air conditioning or any reason they want to save some energy during the hot summer day, it was hot inside, terrible! I ordered around 8-10 plates of sushi but unfortunately the rice is so loosen and it's WARM! Yes no kidding it was WARM, all of them! How can you eat warm sushi with the raw fish? I doubt their fridge is cool enough to stock their sushi..it's really warm and taste so yucky! Terrible quality! so disappointed! One thing I HATE so bad is every time they just rush you to pay the bill once they realized that you were about to finish your meal! Hello? GIVE ME A BREAK I'M STILL EATING!!! F-A-I-L! Lot of my friends keep saying they are not going back to sushi station, I didn't know why but now I experienced myself, I wouldn't risk my stomach to taste their worst sushi again!
(1)Tasty X.
Very fun place to eat. The conveyer belt is loaded with something for everyone. My wife, who was scared to try sushi, left here declaring this her favorite restaurant. The only problem is the price can go a little high if you are a big eater like me. Those plates can add up fast. The best sushi? No. But there are a lot of good choices on here to pick from.
(4)Rosanna L.
After trying this place and a previous conveyor belt sushi place I realize I will never be satisfied with sushi provided on a conveyor belt. Their rolls are huge, which makes it difficult to eat and it seemed that majority of their rolls they filled it with nothing, but tempura crunch which gave you an oily tasting in your mouth. The choices are limited and a lot of it has mayo or a big slob of cream cheese, which I'm not a fan of. Some of the rolls or appetizers on the belt definitely did not look fresh as it seems like it continues to stay on the belt with no one wanting to eat it. I tried their sliced salmon, which was fresh, but as soon as I bit into their smoke salmon I was done eating. It was extremely fishy and definitely not fresh. The service was okay. My hot tea and the boyfriend's soda was refilled often. I still dislike having to pay a $1 for hot tea. Also they hoover over you and listen into your conversation, which is very annoying. I saw a sign for 'golden shrimp' and I pointed at it to show my boyfriend and right away a server runs up and was like oh would you like to order the golden shrimp? - It bugged me because it was meant for my boyfriend to hear/see. Something called personal space. I left unsatisfied.
(2)Maureen C.
When I am craving sushi, this place delivers. Literally. On a conveyor belt. HA-ha. =D Sushi is decent for the price (who can bet $1.25 plates??). Granted it's not the fanciest sushi or the prettiest but who cares? For the price, I'll take it. I usually go during the lunchtime hours -- gets busy and crowded. What's great is that I don't have to wait for my food, I just grab it from the conveyor belt, eat to my heart's desire, and pay up (usually very cheap bill!).
(3)Marco C.
I have been a regular customer for a while and my most recent visit will be my last. First, the sushi/rolls literally taste like they pulled it out of those plastic containers you would find at your local grocery store and serve them to you. Actually, in a couple of those grocery stores, I found the sushi to be better than at this place. However, I thought the sushi was tolerable and it is a place to go for a quick lunch. Which are the only two reasons this place is even worth considering. I do agree with one of the "Yelpers" who "Yelped" about how the staff is hovering around you and hounding you to be done. The non-English speaking part is truly a problem in this country to begin with, but I'm not here to talk about that. Here's the problem. As a regular, I usually eat the same thing and I do mix it up every so often. This time I decided to try their $1.25 lunch special sushi roll called "Tiger Stripes" or something like that. It's a role with imitation crab topped with inflamed mayo and teriyaki. For a long time, I passed on it because of all the mayo, but I figured it's only $1.25 and I like to try new things. To my assumption that proved me correct, it tasted horrible.... way too much mayo. I even tried to remove most of it! I informed the server that it was not to my liking and I was wondering if they would charge me. Well, they did. I could care less about the $1.25 and money is not an issue, but it's the principle of the matter. When a customer is not satisfied of a dish, there is no argument from the restaurant to remove the charge. When I went to the cashier to pay, I certainly said something to them and asked why they charged me... They said that if the food was bad or spoiled, then they remove the charge... BAD OR SPOILED??!?! AT A SUSHI PLACE THAT SERVES FISH?!?!? I did one of those, "ARE YOU F****G KIDDING ME?!?!?" looks.... of course it was bad!!! They still charged me with out a real reason and not even an apology. They lost a customer over $1.25 !! Way to go, Sushi Station, you really know the meaning of hospitality and the customer is always right. This is the most idiotic place with horrible food. I am sick to my stomach now for eating your crap. I award you "ZERO STARS" and my God have mercy on your soul(s)!!!!
(1)トモ T.
A floating boat (kaiten) sushi restaurant in the suburb of Chicago where you could get decent sushi for a good value. The owner is Japanese with a long restaurant experience. During winter season, they serve pork miso soup (ton-jiru) which is the best thing on their menu. They also have Kirin in draft, which is a plus. This is not a place you would drive across the town to, but if you happened to be in the area and did not have much time for a meat, go here. You can sit, eat, and get out in 15 minutes if you choose (oh, don't forget to pay). What ever you do, don't come here for high quality sushi. Their sushi is 'sabi-nuki' (no wasabi), which is a big no-no.
(3)Terese C.
Love the sushi on the refrigerated conveyor belt! The food we took off the belt was all good and fresh. There are 3-4 pieces per dish which makes it easy to share at your table. They also have a menu if you don't want to eat from the belt!
(4)Anya C.
After a very rough day, my best friend surprised me and treasted me to this gem of a restaurant. I have always wanted to try a place like this and last night my wish came true. At first we had to assess our situation, esp price wise as we weren't looking to spend a boatload of money. The plates that ride around on the conveyor belt are color coded to match the price with white being the cheapest and purple being one of the most expensive. We stuck to the white, pink, and blue plates which were $1.25, $2.25 and $3.25 respectively. With our sushi we also had seaweed salad and potstickers. First we ordered our main course rolls off the menu. You get a bigger portion if you order that way and it's only $1.00 more. So if you grab a plate with 4 Philly rolls of the belt it's 2.25, off the menu 6 pieces are $3.25 so that's a no brainer. When we filled up on our salad and potstickers, salamon, tuna and philly rolls, we decided it was time to add to our sushi experience. Like I said, we stuck with the white, pink, and blue plates. The food was excellent. I can't complain at all. The service was really good too. Unlike some of the other reviewers we were never hurried, nor did we get kicked out and our wait time was less than a second to get a table. The price was great too. $33 for two people and that's with a stein of beer. As long as you're mindful of the plates and prices and know your budget and limit, Sushi Station is a fun, delicious, enjoyable dining experience! P. S. I highly recommend getting the chocolate cake for dessert. It's heavenly!
(5)Dan H.
OK, confession I've been craving going to a conveyor belt sushi for months, maybe even years. I finally got the chance to check out sushi station this past weekend and I must say it was awesome. I was afraid of it being a novelty and that would mask mediocre sushi. The flavors and freshness were tremendous and I can't wait to go back. I'm a big guy and i stacked my plates up pretty quickly. The prices seemed fair however. Compared to other suburban sushi restaurants, I felt as though I got 2-3x the amount of food for the same price. The service was also spectacular. Refills were quick and frequent, the server also made sure we were at home and comfortable with the experience. I can't wait to go back and get some more great sushi. p.s. If you don't see it on the conveyor belt, make sure you order the negitoro gunkan
(4)Garrett A.
I've been coming to this place a lot (in fact, it was the one that introduced me to sushi) but it feels like every time I come here, my enthusiasm wanes a little bit. One of the things I feel like they're missing are just the basic tuna- and salmon-with-avocado rolls; furthermore, it feels like they have too many spicy rolls. HUGE TIP: Do not come here an hour and 15 minutes before closing. Apparently the rule is that they stop loading the conveyor belt around 45 minutes before closing and 30 minutes before, they will not take orders for any rolls that are of the smaller size (they will still serve nigiri, though).
(3)B R Hungry X.
Sushi is good, quick service, not for big groups of people, the way the restaurant is set up is not for conversation. Overall its a great place because of its variety and you can choose to sample different rolls and sashimi without having to order whole roll orders. Its easy to get carried away here, the plates are priced from $2-$5, but it can add up fast! Overall, its fun, fast, and clean.
(4)Laila C.
I like sushi station cuz I think it's super fun. I love the idea of getting more variety in my food, not being stuck ordering a whole roll and basically only getting to try 4 or 5 things. At sushi station, just take WHATEVER you think looks appetizing! although that might in a tab larger than you expected! Their baby octopus salad is good, I love baby octo wherever I go! I always get a serving of Ikura and it's delicious and comes out very fast. The udon is good. However, I'd recommend staying away from the tongue. It was too dry and hard to chew through when I got it. Most of the rolls are good, except I'm not sure I like how much mayo they mix into everything. But I am a big fan of using siracha in my sushi!
(4)William B.
Crazy busy at lunch, but has very quick turnover, I got a single seat in about 10 mins. Very consistent sushi. Has the safe, standard rolls that most people like, as well as some pretty exotic fare, that I like to try, because hey, they wouldn't serve it if it wasn't edible and good, and where else would i get a chance to try some pretty weird sushi.
(4)Jonathan C.
It went down hill like none other. The winter stew is still really really good. Not sure whats in it, but I like it. The fish went up in prace the last time I was there. Plus they got a little skimpier with thin slices. Not a cool combination.
(2)Alpha P.
When I lived in Suburbs it was one of the best inexpensive sushi places. But I moved to the city and now I know that the sushi is just OK. Nothing more. When you count 8 pieces (two plates) the place doesn't seem to be cheap / inexpensive -$6 -$7 philly, spicy tuna roll. in the city I can get way better rolls for the same money. Interior design is closet to Mc Donalds than sushi place. Just OK.
(3)Amanda B.
The best sushi EVER. I compare all other sushi to Sushi Station's sushi. Nothing beats it! Cute conveyor belt, delicious sushi, right prices and portions. The sushi is prepared and placed on a conveyor belt and rides around in front of you and around the kitchen. You pick what you want. I like being able to see my food before I order and eat it. Your plate is color-coded and the color reflects a price. You pile your plates up and calculate how much your bill is that way. If you don't like what you see, you can order from the menu and get something else, like chicken teriyaki or soup. A friend and I once sat there and kept eating and piling up our plates. We must have had about 25 plates piled up. There was a Polish couple next to us, and my friend is Polish and apparently the couple were saying bad things about how much we were eating hahaha. Awesome place!
(5)Mark B.
I have had the opportunity to sample sushi around the U.S. and around the world, including Japan. With that in mind, I like a traditional sushi experience. It's not about the atmosphere for me, it's about the fish. On that front, Sushi Station (specifically the Rolling Meadows location) delivers in full. They offer the freshest and most varied fish selection I've found in Chicagoland, along with some truly tasty and unique rolls. Sushi Station isn't for the faint of heart. There are few choices on the menu for those who are not going to partake in the sushi. There is some tempura, and there are some rolls made primarily from veggies. But make no mistake, this place focuses on fish. Spicy means spicy, but not tear your head off, 5-alarm spicy. Which is great since you can still taste the delicate flavor of the fish through the spice. They offer a variety of tuna and salmon, standard bbq eel (unagi) along with conger eel, as well as some of the less popular but equally as interesting offerings like mackeral (my personal favorite), bonita, scallops, sea clam, and on occasion sea urchin. The miso soup, seawead salad and squid salad are good starters. Items are priced based on the type of plate the arrive on. Different colors and designs have different values. For the money, you can't go wrong for high quality sushi. We recently had 6 people for lunch and the bill was $120. Watch the hours, they close between 2pm and 5pm. If you want excellent sushi in a tradition Japanese "cafeteria" style setting that won't break the bank, Sushi Station is the place to go.
(5)Jeanette R.
I really like the food here. The prices are really good and the food is fresh and tasty. It's worth the drive from the city for sure. However, I almost didn't ever, ever want to go back after my first experience here. They had some weird guy as a host that made a huge ordeal about my dreadlocks- including hovering over me, in my personal bubble, to ask me if they were real or not. Then he informed me that they would be better if they were real, as if it were any of his damn business what I do with my hair. THEN he later touched my arm to ask me how much a tattoo of mine cost me. FYI to the owners- mocking my hair and being touched by the staff are NOT okay. My boyfriend also didn't appreciate my being touched in front of him by that impolite stranger of a host. If my boyfriend wouldn't have insisted on another chance I never would have been back. Luckily the second time creeper mcgee was very thankfully absent. I love your food, I love the rest of your staff, but if that guy is working next time we come we will walk out and go elsewhere.
(3)Katherine T.
Sushi station is ok, you get what you pay for. They are cheap but the sushi isnt good quality.
(3)April P.
Going in for a quick dinner solo as this place is affordable and tre chic to dine alone. Affordable food, and a nice selection of fresh sushi, rolls, appetizers and desserts both on their conveyer belt and to order a la carte. I do have a complaint that the staff will ask you over and over again if you want to order additional food, as it is near the kitchen closing time. I'm talking 4-5 times. Annoying...I get it already. Looking forward to checking out their Elgin location. That's the mega sushi conveyer belt meca.
(4)Tricia Mia P.
So I've been to classier sushi places with better tasting sushi BUT I like this place because it is convenient and cheap. I get to sushi station at 9:45PM to grab my little to go box or at 11:30 AM for lunch specials. It keeps me satisfied until the weekend when I can explore sushi joints in the city. The staff here is hit or miss. I was once told by a staff member that I cannot have my own bottle of water because the boss gets angry (even tho I ordered JUST water anyway... BUT mine was filtered ^_^ ). They tend to rush you so the next group can sit and eat and pay and go... Yea it's a fast pace eating experience... I dont mind it because I dont like to be squeezed between people and fight my way for some space...
(4)Phil R.
Sushi station is conveyor style sushi. You sit and pick your plates off the belt. There is very little wait for food and the food is delicious. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable. I would defiantly recommend this for a casual sushi dinner. Yum!!
(5)Samson P.
I have gone here many years but haven't gotten to write a review until today. First of all, there are not many conveyor belt sushi stations in US let alone in Chicago. When I was in Asia, I saw one near every subway station. I was here over the weekend with my girlfriend to get some yummy sushi. The sushi is prepared and normally put on different priced colored plates with two to four pieces of nigiri/maki roll pieces while the conveyor belt goes around next to you. You can pick any you desire and after you are done with your meal all plates are counted up. *One tip is make sure to leave the lids on your table and don't put back onto the conveyer belt* In Asia, you can put it back and someone will take care of it but here I forgot and it made the line of sushi plates backed up, whoops. Also you can also order from the menu for things you don't see on the conveyor belt such as the magma roll. *you gotta order this!* -its a spicy mayo over shrimp tempura and eel. They blow torch the mayo and its sooooooooooo good, They have added desserts, appetizers, seaweed/jelly fish salads on the conveyor belt and always add new specialty rolls Some items I recommend are: Magma roll - spicy, you might have to order off menu Spider roll - typical but still really good soft shell crab Caterpillar roll - avacado and shrimp tempura Fried Crunchy Shrimp Appetizer (new) San diego roll Fatty Salmon nigiri The verdict: After all these years, I come back each year to experience conveyor belt sushi and the sushi, selection, and service are excellent. The fish is still fresh/good since it is conveyor belt sushi. Lunch times have discounts on rolls such as san diego rolls. If you have a party greater than 6, you might have to wait a while since they have tables next the conveyer belt that seat up to 6. Just like restaurants in Japan, they say 'Irasshaimase' (Welcome) as you walk in to give you that authentic Japanese experience. They have one more location in Elgin too.
(4)Ting Ting ..
I love coming to this place because the sushi is not expensive. I like being able to see the sushi before I order it so this place is perfect. The service is lacking because you can never find someone when you need them. You need to go during the weekday during daytime as it will be very crowing on weekends.
(4)Donna M.
Went last night with my bestie at her suggestion. We arrived right at 5pm when they opened. Good thing too because the restaurant was full by 5:15! You take colored plates off the conveyor belt and each color is a different price. When you're finished they add up your plates. The sushi is good overall. The albacore melts in your mouth. I also liked the fried shumai (shrimp dumplings). They were hot despite the conveyor belt. Everything else was the proper temperature. The waitstaff are prompt and stand against the wall behind you waiting to be waived over - a little odd but the result is quick service. You can order sushi, even if it's on the conveyor belt, and it comes quickly. My check was $22 and my friend's was just under $20. Totally worth it for the quality of food. It's a great place to be able to try new things too since there are 4 pieces on the plates instead of 6 or 8 like a traditional roll. Sooooo...get there early or you'll be waiting. My friend and I had 4 plates each but there were people with quadruple that and still eating with no intention of leaving anytime soon :) But that means it's yummy! They had some delicious looking lunch specials so I'lll definitely be back to try those or for another dinner!
(4)Nikki C.
SS is like the hot slutty whore in the club that everyone oogles and when you finally get your chance to "dance" with her, she steps on your foot with her 6 inch stilletos and you limp away and begin to wish you never even met her.(unless you're into the pain thing, then have at it) Cute concept, great customer service, pretty food. too bad the rice tasted off and since sushi is all about the "rice", my $20 meal after tax and tip was the worst "rice job" I ever paid for. Cheap and "quickies" aka fast fish are adjectives that really don't belong in the sentence containing sushi. mitsuwa FTW if you're in the hood jonesing for some rice and fish plus they close at 2pm to reopen at 5pm so if its even close to 1.30pm don't bother as the kitchen closes early.
(2)Lynn B.
Definitely a place for entry-level sushi. The idea of sushi on a conveyor belt seemed appealing and fun but it stops there. I would only recommend this place if you are a first-time sushi eater and would like to try cheap sushi with some variety. Otherwise, if you enjoy fresh, quality sushi, AVOID this place. It is not worth the 30 minute wait or the money at all. I would not go back.
(2)Gaby C.
Good sushi. Don't sit in the back , seems like it takes forever for the sushi to come around, and by the time the one you want comes along, its empty. I like that I don't have to "wait" for my food, but I don't know how fresh it is or how long its been rotating. Fun experience and great prices. I will go back. Friendly staff, clean place and excellent prices.
(3)Roberto F.
Probably one of my favorite places to grab sushi in the suburbs. Sure you could say it's the novelty of the little tram that comes around with all the different rolls but it's more then that. The sushi is always fresh and the limited operation times for lunch and the crowd that's in there always guarantees freshly made rolls, which is followed up by great taste. The wait staff are extremely nice and help you to find proper seating for your party and tend to your table to make sure you have everything you need. Also if you don't see a roll you want on the line you can always ask them to make it for you which is a definite bonus when this place gets packed. Side note: This places does get packed for lunch but if you get there when they open it's usually not to bad. If you do happen to get there when it's busy you usually don't have to wait for to long. Also 4-5 deep is the most one table can handle.
(4)Hoang L.
Fast, Fresh, Affordable, and Fun?! Have you ever seen their commercial? (download from their official website). Makes me laugh! =D Fast. Yes. Fresh. No. Affordable. Not really. Fun. Yes. This place was fun when I went, but the quality of the sushi was just not there. I like the idea, but I feel like it's dim sum for lazy people. How fresh can sushi be it's been rolling around the restaurant all day? And what if you were seated at the end of the belt, you'd be stuck with all the sushi nobody wanted? But I should give it more credit, for those craving for sushi and in a rush, this place is probably for you. However, I like taking my time and savoring each bite over a bottle of wine when I'm having sushi. But that's just me.
(2)Jasmyn K.
WILDFIRE ROLL! Num num one of the best rolls I have ever had, maybe its the blow torching that makes it so appealing to me but I heart it! This place is fun and good for cheap but average sushi...I took my 11 year old brother here and he loved the conveyor belt concept. I generally order a lot of the menu so that you know you are getting freshly made rolls, some of them look a little stale at times. I would stay away from the (sorry I don't have the best sushi etiquette) non roll items, just the big piece of fish on rice, nigiri? That did not seem to taste too fresh or as "buttery" as other sushi places. But not a bad place to go when you want to eat for under $20 a person!
(4)Amy A.
So we stumbled into this place after going to Mitsuwa about 2 months ago. (Off topic, but Mitsuwa has the WORST sushi ever, btw. You would think that it would be the best place since it's a Japanese store...but unless you like a big ball of vinegar rice with gross fish...just skip this place.) Anyway, we went to sushi station for dinner after shopping. We were sat relatively quickly (about a 15 minute wait). The sushi and other items travel along a conveyer (covered with a dome) and you open your little door and grab what you want. Quick, good, fresh, not vinegary. We have a winner! I like that you can see the sushi before you grab it. You can avoid the ones that were done a little skimpy, or the ones that had been sitting out for awhile. Don't see what you like? Your server can order it from the kitchen for you! Our favorites are the negitoro gunkan (I can order about 10 of these...so good!), honey salmon (expensive, but yum!), and the cooked egg (for the kiddo who doesn't eat other sushi). Since our discovery 2 months ago, we probably go here once or twice a week despite having to drive 20 minutes to get there.
(5)Janet X.
Oh my God, how have I not reviewed this before? Out of all the restaurants in the Chicagoland area, I think Sushi Station is probably the one I've come back to again and again. Pros: - CONVEYOR BELT. This makes it the ideal place to take someone who is relatively new at eating sushi, because they get to see what the roll looks like BEFORE they order it. They also have a large selection of cooked seafood rolls, such as tempura shrimp and crab salad. - Menu. If you don't see what you want, they can still make any of 40 different rolls for you. - Quick and easy. Unlike a lot of other restaurants, Sushi Station can get you in and out in 45 minutes or less, perfect if you have errands to run. - Delicious sushi. Enough said. Cons: - Sometimes the variety on the conveyor belt leaves much to be desired. But then and again, that's where the menu comes in. - Some of the stuff is WAAAAAY overpriced. Four strawberries for $4? A small thumbful of edamame for $3? However, if you stick to the sushi itself, it's a lot more affordable than a lot of other places. - Sometimes the fish isn't the freshest, and they do tend to overuse mayo.
(4)Erik H.
You'd think that a restaurant premised on a gimmick would not have the best food, but in reality this kind of restaurant isn't a gimmick in Japan; quite the opposite, in fact. It's an easy, cheap and popular way of eating sushi that offers the least amount of interaction between server and patron. Sushi Station brings this mechanical take on a decidedly Japanese concept to the U.S., successfully importing the union of freshness and simplicity that Japanese customers are used to. The food here ranges from typical nigiri sushi and classic rolls to Sushi Station-specific creations (they keep trying to make spicier and spicier rolls, perhaps for their American and increasingly Latin audience) to more off the wall items such as shark fin and jellyfish salad. Any of these you can simply grab off the conveyor belt, and it's simple to determine the price with the color-coded plates. It can be dangerously easy to overspend here, so I try to set a limit for myself (usually $10-$15) and stick to it. Check out the menu too, because there are some delicious specialty rolls that they don't put on the conveyor; I like the Godzilla Roll myself. Overall, the experience is authentic and fun and the food is good. 5 stars!
(5)Will K.
I love the hispanic guy who clears the tables and yells "table open!". Just thought i'd throw that in there. It cracks me up, every time. Especially while i'm waiting. And yes, do prepare to wait, particularly if you're coming in during their crunch hours. I will say, it is worth it if you're a fan of sushi and especially conveyer belt sushi. The quality of the sushi is kept fresh by their refrigerated belts, and the selection all taste great. For the price, speed, and quality of the menu items here, it is a great experience and something everyone should try. If you're visual and new to sushi, take a look, grab a plate, open mouth, and engage at will!
(4)Apple S.
Do you ever get full when you eat out for sushi? I know I don't. That why I love, love, love this place. There is no place like Sushi Station. Too bad it takes my boyfriend and I 30-40 minutes to get there depending on traffic. We never travel long distance for food but for Sushi Station we do. There's nothing like food on a conveyor that comes to you as soon as you sit down. You don't have to wait for the server to order your food and than have to wait until your food comes out. I just like the whole concept! They're food is good except for the Mexican rolls! I felt ripped off. It felt like eating a fraction of a taco ... NOT GOOD! Anyways, other than the Mexican rolls. Sushi station is cheap and fills you up like no other sushi restaurant does.
(4)Dana A.
Sushi Station is SUCH a great concept. Apparently lots of sushi places in Japan use the same method, basically eliminating the waiter and using a conveyor belt to distribute the food, but it is the only one in this area that I know of. I've never had an issue with the service at sushi station. They are always nice and speedy However I do feel rushed when there are people waiting. While the place is small, I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a seat, nor have I spent more than a half hour at the restaurant at a time. I would suggest skipping Sushi Station if there are more than two of you, as there are only a few tables. Two people works great. You sit down, take what you want, eat it & leave. They are efficient when it comes to things you order, and the overall process is very quick. It is a little cramped when seated around the conveyor belt, but nothing that makes me feel too uncomfortable. Unfortunately the conveyor belt concept and the speed are the only pros. The sushi quality is like that McDonalds is to hamburgers or Taco Bell is to mexican food. If you have kids or people that are new to sushi, this makes it a great place to take them because it there is a lot of newbie friendly choices, it is relatively inexpensive, and you aren't there for a long time. Being able to see the food also makes it a lot easier for people new to sushi. It is rice-heavy, which newbies tend to like. Also, trying one or two pieces of each roll is preferable when just starting out, and sushi station is probably the only place in the area where you can afford to not eat what you've chosen if you don't like it. While these attributes of Sushi Station are great for inexperienced sushi-eaters, these are all cons to those that enjoy "real" sushi. The amount of rice is at least twice of what it should be. I don't eat sushi for the rice, I eat it for the good stuff! Nigiri pieces are on the small side. Their tempura crumbs always taste REALLY stale. Overall, take a person whose never had sushi before here for a quick, inexpensive taste, but if you are a regular sushi eater - skip it.
(2)Paul C.
The kids love being in charge of lifting the door and grabbing sushi from the belt. Food quality is pretty good but they do get crowded and the wait can be a drag. All in all a fun time
(4)D. C.
Really fun concept and reasonably priced if you pay some attention to your plate choices. Spent $23 (after tax) for two people and I know I was plenty stuffed. Plates were predominantly pink or blue so it didn't feel like you had to be too cautious about the price adding up quickly. The highest priced plates (yellow and purple) were almost non-existent when I went--I don't even recall seeing a single purple plate. The variety was far better than I expected and, during the hour we were there, new things were constantly appearing--nigiri, maki, appetizers even desserts. I do love me some froofy maki rolls and was not disappointed by taste or selection as far as those went. Considered ordering some of the half sized rolls on the menu, but was just too stuffed to do so--maybe next time. The cream puffs were awful; absolutely no taste to the chocolate syrup and the puffs themselves tasted old and freezer burned. I'd go back, particularly to introduce other fellow sushi lovers to the novelty of kaiten zushi. Otherwise, the sushi seemed to be of average quality but still very enjoyable.
(3)Rita B.
So, we wanted to go out with my family for sushi to celebrate my birthday. I have eaten at sushi station before when my husband and I were still living in Chicago because of the fun atmosphere of grabbing the food from a train and just enjoying it, but what I experienced today was THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I EVER EXPERIENCED. We walked in with a party of 5 but we were still waiting for my sister and her boyfriend who were on the way. We walked in and informed the host that they are on their way so we can grab a table and munch on some food. He said that THEY WILL NOT give us a table because they have to see the whole party at one time and if we will grab a table for 5, then we won't be able to join the parties. BS I asked why is it like that and all I got was "IT IS A COMPANY POLICY" and they can't change it. Oh well it was the best place to go before now DO NOT go there. How does it make a difference to see the other people before they will give us a table? They told me that they TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT NEED OUR BUSINESS I responded that now they won't get any!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My dad was eating there for 8 years but after that I DO NOT WANT ANYONE to go there.
(1)Michelle C.
This place is fun, you get as much as you want, appeals to many different tastes. Sure its not Katsu quality or something, but still fun and delicious! I love this place, just go on an off day otherwise there is a wait!
(4)iddells E.
Great place to go to if you want quick, decent sushi at a good price. My bf and I weren't starving when we came to eat here here, so the bill was pretty low. We got 5 small plates of sushi and paid only 15 bucks. But, if we were really hungry, we'd eat much more and break the bank. If that were the case, I'd rather go to House of Sushi and Noodles, where it's just one flat price for all you can eat. Anyways, I loooove the concept of the conveyor belt. It's so exciting! If there's a particular roll that you want but isn't on the belt, just ask one of the servers and they'd be glad to get it for you. Also, they practically give you unlimited ginger. There's a box of it right in front of you, great for those who love ginger. It was a fun experience and I'd love to return!
(4)Ashley H.
First off, I'm kind of a sushi 'snob'. I had the opportunity to live in Japan for 4 months, though, so I can't help it. You haven't had good sushi until you've had it IN Japan. That said, I was super excited to go to a kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurant because my hubby and I had loved them so much when we were in Osaka. The atmosphere was just like the ones in Japan, which brought back a lot of great memories. Unfortunately, the sushi wasn't all that fresh. We did find quite a few decent rolls, though, just not quite the quality I would have liked. Again... sushi snob. For a restaurant in a strip mall in America, it wasn't so bad. I'm sure we will go back again and hopefully take friends (we just won't go on a Sunday as fish tends to be less fresh on the weekends anyway). Did you know that sushi actually means "with rice"? Most people think it has to do with raw fish, but that's not the case. And now you know. Sincerely, Sushi Snob
(3)Scott C.
Sushi Station provides conveyer belt sushi at a very reasonable price. The sushi dishes (usually 2 pieces of nigiri or 4 rolls) are reasonably priced anywhere from $.50 to $4.50 per plate. It's very simple - take what you want to eat and then pay for it by the plate. They had a great deal of salmon and spicy tuna rolls, nigiri and variations of both. In particular there was one spicy tuna roll with jalapeno and chili sauce that was excellent. Very spicy but also provided different flavors when you ate the roll. Depending on the wait, you can get in and out of this restaurant very quickly - provided that the sushi of your choice comes around on the conveyer belt frequently enough. I'd recommend to sit at the sushi bar (for lack of a better description) and pick out your own dishes - since if you sit at a table, the people closest to the conveyer belt have to retrieve the sushi plates for everyone.
(3)Kammie G.
Sushi Station! I've always heard people talking about it but I've never tried it.. until last night. I've never experienced a Sushi conveyor belt place. But it was really cool! It gave the place a much more authentic feel and atmosphere. They have many types of sushi, appetizers, and desserts. I only tried the sushi, none of the other funky stuff.. The sushi was really good! I like that there was not too many pieces on a place, so that way I got to eat many different kinds in one sitting. I like to switch it up quite a lot. Haha. I LOVED that they had a whole bucket of pickled ginger and Lite Soy Souce. AWesome! I love both, and I liked that I didn't have to keep asking the staff for new ones like I usually would. I just like the taste of the pickle ginger... Prices are really good and you get to get stuffed for a small price. I highly recommend the place. The only reason it's lacking 1 star is because of the size of the place (it's small) and there's usually quite a wait. And it's a little cramped. But other than that... good place. Definitely coming back soon.
(4)Zo O.
I've eaten here numerous times, but I guess I never got around to writing a review! I like to take friends here because it's a novelty sushi place(sushi on conveyor belt). I definitely pace myself when I eat here, so I actually enjoy my food anddd I actually don't eat as much as I normally would because I get to taste a bit of everything, which gets me unusually full. It's kind of hard to find.... it's tucked in a mall plaza with a few other random eateries. A bit out of my way, but I'd say it's worth the experience.
(4)Jenny K.
I love this place. It is just like a little hole in the wall strip mall restaurant but the experience is great. Come as close to opening as possible because there is usually a wait...I enjoy the ambiance of this place...I like the music, the people watching and of course, the sushi! As everyone notes, the sushi comes to you via conveyor belt and you can choose what you want from the moment you sit down. You can also order any of the items off the menu whether they are already on the conveyor belt or not. They also have nice small portions of fruit and dessert to enjoy. We can drop a bit of money when we go here, but probably because we treat it like a buffet and eat until we are stuffed. I love sushi station!
(5)Georgene M.
I love sushi station! Very casual and not the place to come if you want a long sit down meal but for a casual dining experience, delicious and affordable food, it's great!!! I come here all the time and they're always fairly busy. Sometimes there is a wait but it's usually not too long and always worth it :)
(5)Maya Y.
My family and I love this restaurant because you get to choose which items you want and pay only for the sushi you choose in typical "kaitenzushi" style. It's not exactly Tokyo's Tsukiji, but it is one of the few places my parents (who are very fastidious foodies when it comes to gourmet Japanese food; they both grew up in Tokyo) find acceptable for sushi. The sashimi slices in the nigiri pieces are generously thick. If you're concerned about the quality of your sushi (or wondering how long the sushi's been rolling round and round on the conveyer belt), you are given the option of ordering off the menu. A waiter will bring your freshly made items to your table. Here are some of my favorite nigiri items: -Negitoro nigiri -Hamachi nigiri -White tuna nigiri -classic tekka roll -Maguro nigiri -Ikura (though I've rarely had this here). Dessert options include whatever that is rotating on the conveyor belt, green tea ice cream off the menu (or azuki ice cream if I recall correctly), etc. I highly recommend this place and it's popular among Japanese people besides my own family as well. The bill typically came out to be $20/person. I find this place to be benign for non-sushi enthusiasts, since you can sample small portions or platefuls without wasting too much food in the event you don't like something. They also offer Japanese-style fried chicken on the menu, which is probably one of the least offensive dishes one can imagine that happens to be on a typical Japanese menu (among non-sushi items), which my family occasionally orders, along with potstickers (gyoza), edamame appetizer, etc. Service: N/A (mostly self-serve) but it wasn't offensively bad or anything worth grading. Taste: B+
(4)Jean C.
Sushi Station has been around for a while and when I lived in Arlington Heights, I would come here occasionally. I love the conveyor belt with the different plates of sushi. The plates are color coded and each color represents a price. If you don't see something you want, you can definitely place an order with the chefs. The variety is nice and I've never had a problem getting what I want. A word of caution though. It's easy to rack up a high bill when you start eating! So the moral of the story is, be mindful of the plates as they stack up and the color of plates!
(4)Steven N.
With the mindset of going there for the novelty of the conveyor belt style sushi and you'll be adequately satisfied with this place. If you're expecting high quality sushi, service, or decor, you'll leave disappointed. The servers are not rude, and the food is ok, but just have the correct expectation for a place that has a conveyor belt. =) We went there at around 1pm on a Saturday and the place was still pretty packed (though it's not a very big place). I must say that we were pretty impressed by the number of selections, however, this doesn't necessarily mean we were impressed by selections. The more traditional sushi were ok, but the "new age / fusion" rolls just didn't sound or look appetizing. We were very impressed by their scallops though...along with their shrimp tempura...the shrimp tempura's batter was perfectly done...one of the best we ever had.
(2)n l.
I can never get enough of sushi, so I pretty much hit up every sushi joint possible. The sushi here is made and goes around on a conveyor belt. You can just take whatever you want and they total your tab by the dishes you've collected. I would probably come back if I needed a quick sushi fix when shopping in Schaumburg, but probably wouldn't plan a meal here if I had time to look for a restaurant.. The sushi is good, but not as fresh as I'm used to or flavored with as much care as I love..
(3)Jay N.
I've been here a few times with friends and I have a hard time understanding why I end up going with them here. The quality of the fish is poor. It's typically been sitting out for a while due to the avocado color change, warmth of "fresh" fish, and toughness of rice. Although they previously used to leave it open for 1 round and then cover it, now they leave it covered from the beginning. The prices are not that high, but the value is pretty poor. None of the maki have more than one type of fish and they are pretty well doused in sauce. The wasabi is not fresh as it is from a package. Considering the multitude of other options out there, I don't think it is worth anybody's time to wait for a seat, let alone spend their money here.
(1)Gregory B.
Better than it has any business being. I eat until I'm sick, sad to say, and wind up spending what I would have at a "better" place. Yeah, I've had higher quality sushi, but not at anywhere near this price.
(5)Matthew B.
ok.... after reading the reviews on here, people are pretty spoiled. At the price point ( avg $20-25) per person, for pretty good sushi, is pretty friggin good. Yes, they have a conveyer belt... but that just has SOME of the standard food they offer. You dont have to eat off of that, if you dont want to... they have whats called a 'menu' there.. i know, crazy huh. The way I do it, is to order some of the specialty rolls off of the menu. This way, it comes super fresh and you dont have to wait for that item via the conveyor belt. Then, eat the standard stuff ( philly rolls, nigri, salmon rolls, etc) that comes around often. Its pretty fresh, esp since the system is all refrigerated. The sushi itself? yeah, pretty damn good and very reasonable.For this price point and quality sushi, I should slap anyone who complains? dont like it? then go somewhere else and spend double. pffff
(4)Chuck S.
If you like assemby line food in a crowded setting this is the place for you! This conveyor concept might work in large crowded cities where people compete to get some lunch quickly but it has no ambience. Table are for for three or more. Reminds me of a NYC cafeteria at lunchtime, or maybe lunch on a 777, The food is OK with many choices but counter space is limited. The bimbo next to me hardly had room for one or two small plates and her cell phone which she worked over the entire meal. There are several other good sushi restaurants in the area, Tensuke and Mitsuwa are better choices without the automat concept. I did enjoy the Udon soup which I ordered from one of the servers. My wife and I were in and out in less that 1/2 hour.
(2)Kelly E.
My favorite place for sushi!!! Not only is it great, it's cheap! Spicy Tuna Roll IS the best they got! Love the conveyor belt. Just wish it was as big as Elgin's location! (which is always dead!)
(5)Insun M.
3 star prices for 2 star quality sushi. I was super excited to eat here because its not everyday that you can pick your food off a conveyer belt. That excitement lasted for about 5 minutes. Raw fish is the sort of thing that you want very good quality for which Sushi Station doesn't satisfy. Go for the experience but don't expect to be wowed.
(2)Theresa S.
Nobody beats Sushi Station for quality, selection or price. Their portions are very large, always taste glorious, and always satisfy. Lunch specials are phenomenal and the wait isn't bad at all most weekdays. Weekends, do expect a wait. It is worth every minute! Their staff is friendly and eager to please, always greet you and send you off with gusto and if you become a regular, believe me, they know you. I enjoy watching the intricate dance the staff performs when we are there. I suppose most people wouldn't notice it, but they are masterful and graceful and completely efficient. You only see this in restaurants with an established, dedicated and seasoned staff. I love this place, love love love it, and if two weeks go by without at least a take-out order, I'm a sad little person. My husband loves it just as much and our preschooler flat out adores their Philly rolls! Great selection of fruit too for kids who don't like sushi. And their desserts are quite nice! It's a winner with the whole family and usually with friends we take there to lose their sushi virginity :)
(5)Rachel H.
Sushi in a conveyor belt...done by many over and over and over again. You pay for the sushi based on the color of the plate. The pieces itself are quite small, but good. The Jelly fish with shark fin was surprisingly very salty. The smoked salmon,spicy tuna and dragon roll were excellent. I spotted chocolate dipped strawberries, cheese cake and Chocolate cakes drenched in some "white sauce" in the conveyor. I can't comment on them, I didn't try any. The wait staff is very attentive. Hot tea was being refilled, napkins replenished even before you request for it. I will definitely try this place again if I am in the neighborhood.
(3)Kev G.
First time here with family of 4. Everyone found dishes they enjoyed. We will be back!!
(4)Marnie R.
When I lived in Chicago 5 years ago I stumbled upon this gem. Don't take this the wrong way, it isn't, in my opinion, the best sushi ever, but it is my favorite sushi place, ever. I feel like most sushi places are either so-so getting by because they are capable of rolling sushi or they are oh-so-amazing but pretentious and pricey. Sushi station is dependably great sushi at an affordable price. Listed below are the reasons why I am ever so impressed, in no particular order. 1. There is always something new to try - They are constantly trying creating rolls I couldn't have imagined on my own. I simply love watching the rolls stroll by as I decide which I will try first. 2. They always have my staples They include: -Nigi Toro (fatty tuna with green onion. Served Gukan style) -Hanako (crunchy, sweet with onion, a little mayo and cream cheese) i can't eat more than two of these, so I'm especially glad this one comes on a small place with two pieces. -Mexican Roll (if you like a fresh, spicy roll, try the Mexican roll, it will not disappoint) 3. I can try something new and I can a. see it before I try it (you've been there when you get a roll and it is NOTHING like you imagined) b. try it in smaller quantities. No spending $16 on a roll that was only so-so. 4. Speed- You can be in and out in 20 minutes or you can go in with friends and spend hours. I used to go for lunch breaks and it made me so happy get good sushi without taking an hour and a half lunch. 5. Great place to bring beginners. We all have friends that have never tried it and are nervous about it. Sushi station is the perfect place to bring your friend who wants to give it a whirl. 6. I personally was there so much (great sushi at a great price, you bet I'll be there often) while I lived nearby I got to know one of the chefs. It is a must to go there when I'm in Chicago, but it is not as often as I'd like. (I think there was a 2 year lapse at one time) The last time I went in, the chef remembered me and made it a point to come out and say hello. The food is great, but having a service-orientated staff that values loyal customers from years ago is something that is hard to come by. As I stated earlier, this isn't the best sushi I've ever eaten in my life. I've been fortunate to have sushi at some of the finer sushi establishments. You typically pay a price for that. If you're looking for great sushi and a great price. Some place you can go to often, this is it. If you're looking for something a more intimate in this area, I also recommend Wild Fish Sushi.
(5)Julia P.
Good food, great prices. I love the conveyor belt style serving, and there is a huge variety.
(4)Dean D.
Love this place! Great sushi, and decently priced! I like getting smaller portions so I can try a greater variety of rolls. You can catch the chefs cut up the fish in the middle. My favorite roll: The magma roll!
(4)Lisa C.
Sushi on a conveyor belt! Need I say more? Quality of sushi is pretty good for its price. Bascially different type of sushi, salads and dessert rotates around and you grab whatever you like. Each plate color is a different price. Plates are not taken away as you clear them. WHY? Cuz that's how they calculate your bill! So it turns into a game of how high is your stack of plates? There are items that are not on the belt and have to order those off the menu - such as hand rolls and some dessert items. I will be back.
(4)Kimberly F.
Sushi on a conveyor belt?! Does it get cooler than that?! My husband and I went to Sushi Station for dinner the other night. We were sat within about 8 seconds of walking in. We made eye contact with one server who pointed us towards another who sat us in the blink of an eye. Nice assembly line system. The coolest thing ever was watching the sushi scoot on by us on the conveyor belt. They have an easy color-coded pricing system, and it's ridiculously reasonable. Where else are you going to find a $5 spider roll? Due to the nature of this business -- the whole revolving sushi bar thing -- the sushi is not the best I've had, but certainly not the worst either. It is what it is and the quality of everything we tried was great. Sushi Station is great for groups since you can just grab whatever you want. There are also hot items available to order through your server. They're reasonably priced as well. Is this the best sushi? Definitely not. Is it convenient? Absolutely! Is it better than average? You betcha! (at least in our experience) I'll definitely be back to show my friends just how awesome this place is.
(4)Sarah M.
I like this place. A lot. I've been coming here for a few years now, so I feel comfortable addressing a few of the trends I've seen in the reviews of others. A lot of people here like to say things like "the sushi was cheap, but the flavor was mediocre" and "I've had better elsewhere but for the price you can't argue." Now, think of when you go to a place like Little Caesars... the pizza is ok, kinda bready but for $5 who gives a shit? It's not Gino's or Lou Malnati's, but it's cheap and sufficient if you just want to satisfy a craving without spending too much. This is what Sushi Station is for sushi. Is exotic? No. Is it good if you just want to enjoy a nice, inexpensive dinner? Absolutely. A 4-6 piece roll starts around $2.25-3.25, so you can make it a cheap meal. Or you can stay a while and try a lot of things, and spend more. You have the freedom to be flexible here, people. So don't spend $60 on a meal for two, and say this place is pricey... because you probably got a crapload of food for that $60. Who cares if the food is made by Mexicans?!?! This is the dumbest, most racist reason to not like this place. If this is an actual issue for you, you should probably just go to the Old Country Buffet across the parking lot and stay there. Four stars instead of five, because I wish there were more tables instead of bar seats. Odds are good you'll end up seated between teenagers who mumble loudly and endlessly, and people who eat their sushi with forks... and pour soy sauce over their rolls.
(4)Ana M.
I'm not a HUGE sushi eater, matter of fact the first time I had sushi was here so that just comes to show how little I know of sushi. Anywho I liked what I had here, so if you have friends who have never had sushi bring them here, it's affordable and it tastes good. It's a bit far from the city but if ever come by woodfield mall it's 5 mins from there.
(4)Lisa G.
While I enjoy dining here, when I go for lunch I feel rushed and think the wait staff is pushy! I like to not swallow my sushi. I did let them know after asking if I wanted my check 2 times I would let them know when I was done!! Foods great but service is rude.
(4)Kathy O.
Some coworkers invited me to join them for lunch at Sushi Station. I had seen it around but didn't realize it was a place to eat within the mini-mall. I am glad I went with them as I was confused how it worked, until my coworkers told me. The sushi, fruit and dessert items were fresh and good. This is like a buffet but the food goes in a circle around the seating area on a covered conveyor belt type of thing. Then you pick what you want. The plates are color coded for pricing which is listed in front of you. The waiter removes any garbage from your table, but leaves the color plates to charege appropriately at the end. You can order items from waiter too if you don't see it on the belt or you want something from the menu. Lots of good food for great price!
(4)Dan N.
OK what I'll call a starter Sushi place, every thing seems fresh and tastes OK...but thats the issue nothing ever really stands out. There is nothing I ever say ohhh lets got to Sushi Station and get that!!! Fun atmosphere for newbes but more experienced eaters will want to stay clear. This is the place to take you parents from Iowa too.
(2)Zhong Y.
Bustling tiny location compared to the relatively much more spacious surroundings in Elgin, which, I suppose, simulates the authentic Japanese dining experience. Lots of Korean heard here, which is useful; service is attentive without being cloying. I don't need to hear irasshaimase so often, though. I would give four stars, but, I came in on a Friday night to this location, and while I was promptly seated, being only 7PM, not many new items being put out on the conveyor belt besides blue plates -- tuna, salmon, basics. A few plates of steamed scallop with the mantle, and raw scallop in rayu, but, that was that. I'd had a stack of blue plates in 30 minutes, which is ridiculous, because I thought they only stopped putting out new food 1 hour before they close. So, you get docked 1 star for that, Sushi Station. Yes, I know you can always order, but if that's the case, why am I going to a kaitenzushi resutoran? It's supposed to be fast food, but diverse. Left that place still feeling unsatisfied, so I hit the Falafel Bistro afterwards, how sad.
(3)Brandon F.
Sushi Station is my go to place for some solid lunch sushi. The sushi is good, and how often does one get to experience pulling their food off a conveyor belt? The place is typically packed, so if you're trying to go for lunch, get there before noon.... actually don't... then I will have more people to compete with. The Philadelphia rolls are great as are the dragon and godzilla rolls, and if you can unhinge your jaw to fit the caterpillar roll, you might as well give it a shot.
(4)Natalie M.
Watching food go by on a conveyor belt- super fun. Hot green tea- wonderful. Chatting with your friends- superb. Having the chance to sample different pieces without ordering a whole roll- sushi heaven. I love sushi station, although they dont have as many veggie rolls as some other places. The agedashi tofu is tasty, the tea is hot and they have little mini desserts- who could ask for more?! I dont make it out there enough because Schamburg is so darn far from the city. Bring your appetite, good friends and quick reflexes for a great sushi experience.
(4)DR. S.
***************** Parent Advisory************ The scene of this Japanese restaurant is causal serving style which is kind of like fast food restaurant (e.g McDonald) but serving sushi since all the sushi is made ahead of time and placed on the track for you to choose. My wife and I have been going there since they first open, and we now have a 18 months old son. We went on Saturday and got sat at one of the table in the back by the end. Once we got sat, my son grabbed couple of their ***CHEAP PLASTIC SOY SAUCE DISH*** which cost $0.25 cents each where you can find it at Chinatown. The server immediately grabbed the dish back from my 18 months old when he (Male Asian) saw my son was playing with it. You can tell me if you feel that was not appropriated; however, you have no right to touch my son without my permission which is very disrespectful as you might hurt him by grabbing the dish from his hand. We have experienced with how they treat customers , and we definitely spread the words to all our friends (most of them already have kids) as they are not friendly with kids. Bye Bye Sushi Station! Never see you again in my life time.
(1)Kelly L.
It was an enjoyable experience until my daughter pulled a hair out of her mouth from her udon soup. And if that isn't bad enough, the waitress handled the situation the worst way anyone could handle it. She acted as if we had plucked one of our own hairs out of our heads and placed it in my daughters mouth so we wouldn't have to pay for the soup. She looked at us as if it was our wrong doing. She examined it right in front of us. She did not apologize until the point in which she had to apologize due to the looks my daughters and I exchanged. When we went to tell the manager, she acted as if she wanted us to stop complaining so no one can hear our complaints. We will not be returning,
(2)Ginny L.
I don't like raw fish. It weirds me out. However, my friends all love it, and this place satisfies us all. They have some amazing dishes that have smoked salmon or shrimp instead of raw fish, as well as some hot dishes to order, though I'm happy grabbing whatever passes by on the super-awesome conveyor belt. My favorites are the Hanako roll and the Paradise roll, though the Spider roll is great too. If you go at an off-time, take your time eating because new interesting stuff will likely roll around as more people show up! I love seeing all the little mini desserts go by, and though they're fairly overpriced, I can't resist trying at least one of them. Last time I had the mini carrot cakes, which were pretty good. This is a fun experience, though since people are constantly watching the conveyor belt, it's a little difficult to carry on a conversation. Oh and be warned! The little plates add up really fast. (;
(4)Elleb K.
A nice little place to try. Sushi is served on a conveyor belt. Good for ADHD kids. (They were amused.) I watched the belt spin round and round waiting for the new pieces. I love being the 1st to snatch the dish. But noticed alot of the dishes were the Same. No fun. Plenty of parking. 20 min wait. Might come back if I was in the area. Made me miss home. :(
(3)Krista S.
Love the conveyor belt full of sushi delight! This is a great place to go for sushi beginners because you get to try so many different pieces of sushi at an affordable price. It's such a fun dining experience, I can't wait to go back and try more!
(4)Victoria h.
1. the sushi moves on a conveyor belt, but it's not refrigerated at all. So when you eat it, it's warm. Now, I'm not the health department, but I imagine the fish needs to be refrigerated. The chocolate covered strawberries are good, but the chocolate isn't hard and, if you're not careful, ends up all over your hands. 2. My friend grabbed some sushi, looked at it, and stuck it back onto the conveyor belt. Big no-no. Although we had a few of the restaurant workers standing near us, no one said a thing. I wonder how many people done this same thing, maybe even worse (?). 3. They don't have unagi roll. wtf? They have eel, they have eel nigiri, but not unagi roll? If you order something that's not on the menu, be prepared to pay for rice. I ordered a salmon roll and it was a tiny piece of salmon with lots of rice. 4. Honestly, I wouldn't come back. The prices are fair, the service is quick, maybe a little too quick - in a 2 minute period, 4 or 5 people asked me if I wanted a refill. There are a ton of other sushi place I'd visit before coming back here.
(2)Stevie V.
Me and my wife love this place. In fact, every time we have a visitor from out of town, we bring them here. It's just a fun environment with good food that won't break your wallet. Oh and they always yell "Thank You" when you leave.
(4)Beth F.
I love this place. My boyfriend and I enjoy the selection, novelty and reasonable prices of this place. As a person who loves to visualize the food I'm eating, this makes casual sushi dining experience fun and satisfying. Inexpensive sushi can sometimes be scary when you don't know what you're going to get, but this place always offers up fresh selections that look as good as they taste (sometimes the taste is even better!) My standard picks are the Station roll, San Diego roll, and Caribbean roll. Although having to wait 10 minutes for a spot at the conveyor'o'sushi isn't ideal for the gotta-eat-now restaurant goer, you know it's gotta be good if you're waiting for it. Plus you get your food instantaneously once you do sit down. And what's 10 minutes anyway? A great bonus is that they'll make you anything you ask off of the extensive menu. Delish!
(4)Terrence C.
So when someone says conveyor belt sushi, or authentic Japanese food in Rolling Meadows, it makes me laugh to myself. How silly of me. This place is delicious. I thought the concept was funny, until I went to Japan and realized it is a staple in casual Japanese sushi dining. The idea of seeing your food, picking what you want and don't want is awesome. If dim sum and the traditional sushi bar had a baby (in the suburbs) Sushi station would be born. Service is just ok, but really who needs service? I was surprised how fresh the sushi was considering it is not made to order. After paying closer attention, I realized the turn over for the small plates is pretty quick. Everything was on point, but if you're looking for specialty rolls, fried and drenched in sauces with bright colors, don't go to sushi station, but I hear you can order them from the sushi masters in the middle. You'll get quality, traditional plates. As with any popular spot be prepared to wait a good 30-1hr to get seated during grub prime times. The plates are small in size which is great for trying a multitude of rolls. I have yet to explore the menu itself, but I don't foresee there being any downfalls here either. Great fun sushi spot. Not to bad on your wallet either!
(4)Don B.
Sushi Station is great for lunch and dinner. They have a wide variety of sushi and sides. Their seaweed salad is my favorite. The conveyor belt (Kaiten principle) is a great feature. You can pick and choose whatever you'd like and the price is indicated by the color of the plate. If it's not on the belt, you can order it and have brought to you. All of their rolls are great tasting and fresh...except for anything with eel. Stay away from the eel. I've had it twice and it's cut way too thick, has fat on it, and had many bones. Not very good at all. Staff is friendly, refills are always there before you run out, and the wait is never more than 15 minutes...and it gets very crowded in there. This is definitely a place to check out. -They have a second larger location in Elgin.
(4)Jenn T.
This place is pretty cool with the conveyor belt stringing along sushi on color coded priced plates with plastic lids on top. Upon walking into this joint, it smelled like this heavenly seared fish aroma. Yumms. I LOVE seared fish anything. I thought the prices were a lil too much for what you were getting when I saw the guide for pricing. Ehhh win some lose some. We also ordered the magma roll and wildfire roll for everyone to share. Man, very heavy on the sauce, but it was still good. Had many various sorts of sushi and they weren't bad. I would say quality is average for sushi. Most of the rolls were innovative, some traditional too. I liked how it was small quantities of it, [~2 pc] so left alota room for variety. My fave winner of the meal would be the garlic seared super white tuna nigiri. It just melted in my mouth......The green tea was really good too, had a lot of that matcha flavor packed in, not like most other places where it tastes like vanilla ice cream with green food coloring. This place is a really cute concept for sushi, but I was afraid to eat this way, because I was so tempted to keep pulling plates off the belt and keep eating. I would rather see this style for all you can eat buffets because then I wouldn't be afraid to keep grabbing plates.
(4)Caitlin L.
I am a sushi fan. I love it, and if I could eat it every day, I would. Much like my old go-to sushi place, House of Sushi and Noodles, this place satisfies my need for cheap sushi and fast. No, the quality is not Sushi Wabi, Mirai or even Bob San, but it works for sushi freaks like myself who cannot afford to go to those places on a regular basis. As of late, I've been ordering items off the menu, cause often I do not see much on the conveyor belt that I find appealing, save for the occasional spicy tuna roll. Still, the novelty of watching the sushi go by is a lot of fun. I also enjoy the fact that I can order a small bowl of udon soup. I always come to sushi station w/ my two good friends and we have a goofy good time. Too boot, I never end up paying more than $20, tip included.
(4)Danielle S.
I've eaten in once and had take-out a number of times because it was free (got it through work). The sushi here is just okay, nothing spectacular, and they've got Mexicans making it. Go for the rotating belt experience once or twice, get the Hanako Roll and order some hot rolls made fresh -- otherwise, you'll be disappointed by the quality (or I was, at least).
(2)Andy D.
Sushi Station is a neat place. Everyone sits around this counter with a conveyer belt loaded with various Sushi and desert items. They have all the traditional sushi rolls and many interesting and new ones. One dish had 4 little whole Octopuses. Another item was wrapped in a green corn husk, inside was a sweet bean and rice dough creation. The servers were constantly around filling your drinks and cleaning up the space. They also were great at getting the tables to turn so your wait wasn't long. New items were continually rolling out of the kitchen. I didn't care for the quality of sushi. The rolls were not tightly bound. Many of the items were a paste mixture and not solid pieces of fish. However, a benefit was the price match the quality pretty fairly. I enjoyed Sushi Station...but I recommend Kampai in Mt. Prospect. It's not that much further and better quality.
(3)Katie S.
Loved this place! Great food, great atmosphere (loved the food belt), very friendly staff!
(5)Nari H.
Pros - per item it's cheap. - you don't have to wait for your food when you sit down, it's ready to go - their rolls are pretty tasty - the server we had was nice - bathrooms are clean Cons - for sushi/fish and rice quality, you do get what you pay for. you won't have a professional sushi chef preparing everything, you won't get top quality fish. - it's typically packed (good and bad) so there's usually a wait. For larger groups they'll tell you 20 minutes, but it means 30 which is what happened to us tonight. - no refunds or even discounts if you drop your sushi which makes sense, but the cashier/owner/manager wasn't very friendly about it. all to say-handle carefully! bc if you drop it, you might as well torch $4 into flames. - for the more complicated rolls you need to order them individually with your server so aside from looking at the conveyer belt, if you want something fancier, make sure you look at their menu. overall, i'd give it a 3.5 it's good for your budget. i wouldn't mind coming back since this seems popular for this area and i don't know this area very well. but if i'm going to eat raw fish, i do have a preference to go where the quality is better.
(3)Michael L.
after watching check please, we were looking to try this place out. we always wanted the conveyor belt sushi experience. There is often a wait (please keep that in mind, esp on the weekends). I think we waited 10 minutes for a spot to open up (a weeknight). They had a wide variety of sushi and rolls on the belt. the color of the plate is the price you pay. They don't have sashimi on the belt. and, if it's not on the belt, you can order it off the menu from the wait staff. they do have a lot of good sushi on the pink plates. I enjoyed a good philadelphia roll. the salmon with avocado was also delightful. I'd hold off on the fancier items (like clam and octopus). we enjoyed our experience.
(3)Arlene G.
I haven't been to this place in a long time, but I think the place is cute. The food is on different colored plates that goes around on a conveyor belt. The different plates determine the price of the dish. It's cool because sometimes you want to see what it is you're ordering before you order. There's a good selection of food, but they don't all taste so fresh.
(3)Amanda C.
I love the sushi there, but be prepared to wait! There is ALWAYS a ton of people there, and you will be sitting arm-to-arm with someone you don't know. They have good sushi... the fish always tastes fresh and that is probably because there is so many people taking the sushi off of the belt! I wish I could have my own private sushi station because that would eliminate any of my reservations about going there. Aside from the long wait and the tight squeeze, the only bad thing about sushi station is the price. It is a little steep considering you can get cheaper sushi at many other places in the area. They also don't have tempura fried shrimp heads! Boo on you, sushi station! You need to get on board there! Manders says get the squid salad and the magma roll. You will enjoy --- me promises!
(4)Michael A.
Very reasonably priced, high-quality sushi. Yes, it's one of the sushi joints where the food comes on a conveyor belt, and that turns off some people. But everything we tasted was fresh. One plate usually runs $3.25, can be higher or lower, but portion size pleasantly surprised me. Although it's rare I end up in the 'burbs, when I do I would come back here in a second.
(5)Jisha J.
I want to start out by saying that the experience we had at Sushi Station was very cool. My brother and I both love sushi, and so since we always pass by this way, we thought would give it a try. The sushi isn't going to blow you away, it's more about the experience. You get to sit and watch this huge conveyer belt circle around the whole store with plates of sushi on it. You choose which plates you want to eat (the prices are according to the color of the plate) and it's neat because you can try so many different things for a decent price (I the the phoenix roll was one of my favorites). Since each plate has between 2 to 4 items on it, you aren't so full that you can't try other things. We both ate well and spent less than $30 total. Again, I must repeat that the sushi isn't spectacular, but I thought it was decent. Overall, a fun place to go with friends/family, and I would definitely go here again.
(4)Tabitha R.
Horrible restaurant. Horrible service, quality of food is extremely poor (old sushi rotating). The health department should be called. Owner is greedy, does not care one bit about her customers and treats her employees poorly. Don't eat here and do not work here. Much better jobs to be found with better employers. Much better sushi restaurants to be found for loyal paying customers. Keep driving folks!! By the way, the owner pretends like she doesn't speak English when you have a complaint. She counts her dollars just fine. GREEDY!!!!
(1)Nish A.
Tasty and cheap Japanese food! Has a lot of options for vegetarians too!
(5)Amelia W.
Not recommended for sushi elitists; highly recommended for sushi rookies. I'll admit, I've had better sushi at other local restaurants, but you can't beat Sushi Station for the opportunity to try different types of sushi! I've only been eating sushi for a couple years, and my boyfriend had only tried it once long before meeting me. Sushi Station was a great place to explore our tastes. You can look at it before you order it, compare it to other things they have out, etc. And any one plate is probably only $3 or $4 (especially if you're a sushi rookie), so it's not a huge loss if you don't like it. It's a small place, so expect a little wait to be seated. I've never gone and been seated immediately. That's probably why the staff is so quick to pick up lids, refill water, etc. I do feel that they want to get people in and out quickly, but I've never felt rushed while eating. I think the concept would be fun for a group, but I think it'd be very hard to get everyone seated together. I wouldn't recommend Sushi Station for elite sushi eaters, but if you're in the mood to try some new things in a fun atmosphere, you should really try Sushi Station.
(4)Jennifer Q.
Just reiterating how much I love this place. So much fun to get excited in anticipation of your favorite maki coming down the conveyor! It was so yummy too! I got the Phoenix and Philly and some Sushi Station exclusive "crab rangoon" -but they were really unique -fresh crab in a spicy sauce and a dash of creamy cheese. YUM! ...So hope they open one in the city eventually!
(5)Leonor S.
Oh my.. If I could afford to, I'd go EVERYDAY :) I love to pig out here! The huge selections of rolls, sushi, appetizers, and desserts make this place stand out. That rotating belt really makes it hard to stop when you're full, because once you think you're done, another delicious plate comes by your table.. and of course, you HAVE to take it! My absolute favorites here are: grand fatty tuna, spyder roll, hanako roll, and the mochi! Don't miss out on the desserts here or you'll be oh so sorry~
(5)Jessica G.
This is the kind of place that makes me wish we could give half stars. Solidly good but I don't feel like 3 stars is enough while 4 is too much. I like that we were seated very promptly upon arrival. A lot of the time, there's a pretty big crowd so for 4:30 on a Saturday, not having to wait seemed to be a lucky occurrence. Our beverage orders and the non-conveyor orders we placed were also brought very quickly. I do love the conveyor belt system and I like that their color codes are easy to understand for the pricing so you know in advance what you're paying. They do have a lot of interesting rolls and fewer of the more "normal" ones but the quality seems to be acceptable and I would say that their San Diego roll is super-tasty with a nice kick. The stuff we ordered off the menu, according to my dining companions, was quite nice. Overall, not bad unless you want everything to be super-traditional.
(3)Bonnie D.
Today I dined at Sushi Station . . . big mistake. We arrived at 1:22 and were told by the manager that the kitchen closes at. 1:45. Every other minute the manager was loudly yelling orders across the dining room, making her hard to ignore. This created a less than comfortable atmosphere. We were hustled at every turn. At 1:30 (when we were seated) the sushi conveyor was nearly barren with the exception of some chocolate cake. I ordered from the menu, expecting something freshly prepared. Among other things I ordered a spider roll. It was cold and tasted like old grease. I apologize for the explicitness, but I have been belching it up for the last five hours. My husband's food was of equally poor quality. Between the poor quality food and hustling us out the door, McDonalds is fine dining by comparison. Incidentally, on a prior visit we have arrived early, which was also a problem. There was a long wait for a table and the usual hustle went on. We will NEVER go to Sushi Station again.
(1)Elena A.
I remember liking the place originally, mostly for the experience of kaiten-zushi, but upon my recent visit, I discovered that the quality of fish has gotten so much better, that I had to re-update. Sushi Station = deliciousness. The fatty salmon? *drool* So good. Also, the desserts are great. I think we had 4 plates of the chocolate covered strawberries, 3 of the cream puffs, and 2 of the strawberries w/sweetened condensed milk. Yum. Just remember to pay attention to how many plates you're eating, because the cost can pile up.
(5)Dj H.
I love this place. Great food and the varity is incredable. You may not like everthing but you will surely like something. A good place for an introduction to sushi.
(5)Chase K.
Love this place! You get to try a variety of sushi for what you would pay for two dishes a wine and dine sushi restaurant. To be honest this isn't a romantic place to bring a date, if you want a complete dinning experience this isn't the place. This place a place to bring your friends and have sushi. From my experience because I've been many times before and here's my tip. To get the fresh sushi order from the chief. Same price for fresher food! Love the smoke silver head samon! I definitely recommend or at least try it once.
(4)Susie C.
This place is awesome! I like how the sushi turns and you can choose whatever you want. Sushi is pretty good, have quite a tasty selection. If there aren't any in the conveyor belt, you can order them through a waitress. There's a menu provided. They greet you when you walk in and when you leave.
(4)Lisa D.
How can you not be excited about sushi on a conveyor belt!? That was my initial draw to the place, but the quality and price kept me coming back. What I like most is the fact that you can try a little bit of any roll you would like, and not have to commit to the whole roll like at most sushi places. The ones that you NEED to try whenever you stop there are the Hanako and godzilla rolls. This is a great place for sushi virgins. They will be able to sample without a full commitment!
(4)Victoria B.
The whole reason for our visit was the conveyor belt or "kaiten (revolving) Sushi". The first time I ever saw one of these was during our honeymoon in San Francisco. I was in love with the place without even seeing it. We went on a Friday night to the Rolling Meadows location and got in right before the rush but the place was packed. We waited about 15 minutes for a spot at the "bar" and surveyed the assortment of Nigiri Sushi and Maki Rolls. They had regular items like Philadelphia Rolls and California Rolls but we like to try different things, and boy did we. The out of the ordinary ones were a Shark fin and Jellyfish Maki Roll, a Corn Maki Roll, and a "Volcano" Maki Roll, to name a few. I was so into the food I didn't pay any attention to anything or anybody around me. I was equally impressed to find out the offered dessert via the conveyor belt. I tried the Mizu Manju (clear jelly dumplings with red bean paste). I was in heaven that night. I like it because it was fast, clean, the staff was friendly and most of all it was easy on the old pocket book. I recommend Sushi Station to anyone who either loves Sushi or hasn't tried it. However if you're looking for a laid back place to hang with your mates, this may not be the place. I didn't feel rushed by the staff but I could feel the eyes of the other costumers waiting to eat. The best part was, we were in and out with a full stomach for under $40. That is very rare when it comes to Sushi. I recently was on Randall Road in Elgin where their second location is. The place is HUGE! I'm trying that one next.
(5)Greg T.
Lots of fun, decent sushi and a good value. Great for a quick meal of sushi with the kids.
(4)Olga L.
I really like this place! It's not my top choice for sushi, but it works if you're looking for something last minute. The conveyor belt aspect of it is fun and everything is really cheap.
(4)Stefan L.
OK but nothing special. A few of my sashimi picks, via the conveyor belt, were room temp at best. Not going back.
(3)Jen L.
Okay, may not be the best food in the world and I only eat what's vegetarian on the menu, but the idea of sushi rolling around on a conveyor belt inside a little plastic tube is so adorable, is it not?? The service is quick, and the food is wonderfully cheap. This is the place to go for a quick fix if you need your sushi FAST! However there is the chance of Sushi Station being very busy, which happens more often than not, so If you need that quick fix I would suggest calling your order in to take it to go. Yum, car sushi. So messy, yet so good. :)
(4)Phillie P.
Man.... just watching sushi on that conveyor belt is entertainment. Too bad this place isn't a buffet. The sushi is VERY DECENT. The service is good. The price is right. There's a small wait for the sushi you want to make it back to you. Then again.. you get to watch all that sushi go by. Minus 1 star for being so far for me (I live in the WestTown/ Ukranian Village area) I say $11 on an average for me.. because that's how much I end up eating..!! Otherwise if you watch yourself. you can definitely keep it under 10.
(4)roberto a.
Plates of sushi brought right in front of you by a covered conveyor belt, where you open a partition in front of you and grab your selection. Ahhh, I'm in heaven. Short of someone actually feeding me the sushi by hand, this is an experience that is unique among your typical urban Pan-Asian sushi joints or all you can eat places like Todai. Upon entering the place you are seated communal style in front of a moving conveyor belt with pieces of sushi placed on color coded plates. The plate color indicates how much each serving will cost you. A plate of neutral color separates each group of sushi and usually has a sign telling you what the next containers have on them. Each plate contains an even numbered serving suitable for sharing with 2 people. If you wish to order a full roll or special order from the menu, you simply flag down your server or get the attention of one of the cook staff. The sushi rolls tend to be larger than average, but at least this place doesn't skimp by adding excess rice. Pricing tends to be random, some simple rolls seemed expensive, while some complicated rolls seemed under-priced, while custom or menu items are all at the high end of the scale. In any event they all tasted very good. In particular the Nigiri portions were generous. I've seen many places where the slice of fish barely covers the underlying rice. Not with Sushi Station. Many slices completely draped the rice which is a rare treat to see. Now for the practical side of things. At the end of you meal, the server will come around and count up each colored dish and add the total to any special orders you made. You then pay at the cashier so the staff can clean up your area for other customers. The meal price was reasonable- $27 a person and although we did not gorge ourselves silly, we did do some damage thanks to a menu order. A few words of caution. It is very easy to go overboard with the price, but if you do, at least it's worth it. Also, the conveyor belt does not stop when you lift your partition to grab the passing plates. Be sure to have a firm grip on your selection or else wait for it to come around again. No need to drop your plate or jam up the belt, and risk embarrassment, and unneeded expense. Finally, this is not the place to bring large groups, at least if you want to sit all together, and not have to wait long. If you have a large group- go someplace else, you'll appreciate it...but then ditch that group and bring one or two people back. They'll thank you. Pros: No skimping on portions, prices for selections are well posted, wide variety to try, novel serving method (at least to Americans...typical in Asia). Cons: Not the best place to take groups, out in the 'burbs, at the edge of a mall shared with a Sam's Club, easy to turn your bill into an expensive meal out, service attitude can be on the cold side. To Sum It Up: The conveyor belt would make a nifty screen saver, with rolls passing by at random. Yummmmm. Well, if you ever need an excuse to goto Rolling Meadows, this is it.
(4)Nancy C.
It is worth the commute! It's a fun environment with the conveyer belt displaying rolls, sashimi, dessert, salads... Great variety of food and the fish is FRESH. Also, there is no wait for food. You just sit and start picking food off the belt that orbits the restaurant. You do have the option of placing orders at no additional cost, though. I'm satisfied every time I go. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes sushi.
(4)D. F.
i love this place! the sushi is good and the price is very good. but the concept here is what makes this a fun experience. here, the entire restaurant seating is built around an enclosed conveyor belt. On the conveyor belt are small plates (about the size of a tea cup saucer) of sushi and various appetizers or desserts. All the restaurant patrons are basically within arms reach of the conveyor belt. When you see a plate or dish come your way, you open the door that you're seated next to or in front of and pull that plate out. each plate is colour coded with each colour corresponding to a different price. each plate is as little as $1.25 and some can go as high as $5. it's easy to get carried away here, as the plates parade by you. one one visit, i ate $40 worth of sushi and dessert! for those who are not into sushi, they have a full menu of hot dishes that you can special order and the turn-around time is very quick (especially at the dinner hour). the place itself is not much to look at: it's in a strip mall next to an at&t cell phone store. but the service is good, the food is good, and the price is right... in fact, just typing about it now is making me hungry... and... it's almost time for lunch......................................
(4)Amy L.
First time I went to this place was quite a few years ago with a friend and her family. It tastes the same now as it did before, still good. I feel like you wouldn't usually get good sushi from a place like that. It is a sushi boat place so the sushi goes round and round but they try to keep the conveyor full. There are sushi chefs constantly making sushi. They have the typical sushi and you can special order. It can get quite expensive. My friend and I always pay quite a bit since we both love sushi and eat a lot of it. I don't think I would go there that often just because it can get pricy but sushi is always pricy I suppose.
(3)Sofia M.
Delicious, fresh, and plenty of choices, what more does a sushi fan wants? I like the seasonal sushi they create every month. And the fresh fruit plates are always great as a dessert.
(4)Leang E.
After all the talk from my coworkers I was finally able to go and try this place out. This spot has the sushi on a covered conveyor belt where you can lift the lid and pick and choose what you want. The dishes range from $1-$6 depending on the color of the plate. If you don't see anything on the belt that you like, you can always order off the menu. Even when you order it off the menu, the sushi still comes out pretty quickly. I think I ate 12 pieces of sushi in like 5 minutes. Talk about a fast lunch. I like how it's not like sushi buffet, but you are definitely paying for what you can eat, you have lots of options still, and it's pretty cheap. Plus, it's quick and decent sushi. I'm sure I'll be back again.
(4)Saki Z.
I've been to Sushi Station numerous times and it's been a good experience every time. My favorite roll here is the Bostation roll.
(4)Shelly M.
If you plan on going to Sushi Station, go before the dinner rush, so you won't have to wait as long.. I am giving this restaurant a 3/5 because I like the concept and the conveyor belt, but the sushi is just okay. Positives: You are able to see the sushi and know what ingredients are in it before you pick it. I like that the sushi is ready and you can start eating right when you are seated. The staff are friendly. Negatives: Not authentic sushi.
(3)Cristie F.
An experience like no other...in a good way! "Kaiten Sushi" concept: sushi is served to you by a conveyor belt and is widely popular in Japan. And Rolling Meadows. So what goes on here you ask? Well, you walk in the door and either have to wait 20 minutes if they're busy, or are quickly seated at the bar (or a table) around the conveyor belt filled with sushi dishes. The belt moves clockwise with a variety of sushi & appetizer plates, priced based on the color of the plate. The conveyor belt is protected by a plastic dome with a sliding door at every seat. ((So for you germaphobes, no worries...most likely your food has not been tainted by other patrons who select a plate and quickly put it back - gross...)) You pick and choose your dishes as you like, and stack your plates to the side for the server to figure out your bill when you're finished. Is the sushi fantastic and high quality? Nope. But it's decent, it's inexpensive, and there's a wide variety to choose from. The rolls are typically smaller (3-4 pieces) which allows you to try a variety. There's also appetizers, deserts, and nigiri sushi to choose from. If you don't see what you're looking for on the conveyor belt, you can always order it from your server. Personally, I'm a fan of the tamago, spicy veggie rolls, and gyoza. NOM. A few tips: - Go when they first open, or expect a wait - the place is packed quickly. - It might not be as inexpensive as you think....those pretty little pastel plates add up quickly. - Don't expect great service. It is what it is. - If you don't see what you're looking for, ask your server. They will either find it for you, or have the chef make it. - Specials at lunch time! Definitely give Sushi Station a whirl - it's a unique and fun experience. Sit back, relax, and let the sushi come to you.
(4)Shannon S.
I saw this restaurant on a local restaurant review show. The things that stood out in my mind were, "all rolls are between $3 - $6", "traditional Japanese way to eat sushi" and, "conveyor belt". The restaurant is a pretty far drive from Chicago for a meal but it happens to be right around the half way point to my moms house so I decided to meet her for lunch and give it a try. The restaurant was definitely hopping. When we walked in we were given a ticket and told to go to the "waiting room". The waiting room happened to be a few chairs against the far wall of the restaurant. While there we had some time to check out the lay of the land and prepare our attack on this electronic sushi servant. We only had to wait about 10-15 minutes before we were given a table next the action. I insisted on sitting next to the sushi conveyor and got my way. The big sell on this place is definitely the mechanism for which you receive your food. All of my lunch companions were equally as excited as me. Sushi just rolls past at a constant rate each one proceeded by a small sign with the name of the item and a brief description. They also have a menu you can order from for specialty items or things that just aren't stocked at the time you want it. As far as the sushi goes I'd say it was a let down. In my opinion it was on the low end as far as quality goes and just boring. All of the standard sushi restaurant items that I tried like maguro sashimi, spicy tuna roll and raw scallop were just not up to par with anything I'm used to eating. The cuts weren't the right proportion and some of the sushi and sashimi had issues with coloring. Yikes! The things they did try to get inventive on just missed the mark (shrimp and corn roll?!?! it was weird). And some of it was just scary. I think we shot a picture of the jellyfish and shark fin roll every time it passed. I was expecting the prices to be low based on the reviews I had seen. The individual plates were priced low from the $3 - $6 range depending on the color of the plate. However, most of the maki was plated with only 4 very small rolls. My son doesn't eat sushi so when we first sat I ordered him crab rangoon and potstickers. The crab rangoon came out almost immediately and was three of the tiniest things I'd ever seen. The potstickers were actually pretty decent but after about 30 minutes of the waitress not bringing them out I grabbed an order off the line as it rode past only to have her bring another order out 15 minutes after that. With 3 adults and one 6 year old eating lunch the bill was $71. I thought it was extremely high for lunch for us especially since we weren't eating nearly as much as we would at a place with better quality sushi and rolls. The bottom line is that I will not be returning. It was an interesting experience but you can get a much higher quality and more enjoyable sushi experience just about anywhere else.
(2)Carrie J.
Anyone who enjoys sushi must visit this place! Preferably during their lunch hours because it's worth it and it's fun too! I love sushi. But its pretty expensive and it adds up if you order 2 or more rolls and so forth. Now Sushi Station offers a pay by the plate deal, about 2 or 3 pieces per plate, during lunch time and they roll out their options on a conveyor belt. All you have to do is pick the plates of your choice and enjoy! It's a great way to sample what they have to offer and prevent your wallet from crying.
(4)Latha C.
As good as it gets for conveyor belt sushi...obviously, quick service even if you order off the menu, cheap, fresh AND it's good!! My absolute favorite sushi joint outside of the city....sure there's a few upscale sushi restaurants in the northern burbs, but I'm not really much of a fan of those big, cannot fit in your mouth type of rolls. I like my small, simple rolls where you can actually taste the fish without all these sauces and fried crumbs all over the place. Heck, you probably wouldn't even know if they put some other kind of fish in the roll or any fish at all with all these new, over priced and over stuffed rolls! My 4 year old daughter loves the place....and gets the udon soup (the large portion) and eats the entire thing by herself with chopsticks. Even the Korean staff (it's a Korean owned sushi joint) were impressed by my daughter's chopstick skills :) Ok, had to show off my kin a little, when I had the chance :)
(5)Linda L.
My husband and I eat here all the time. They vary in service and the one weird thing is that this place does no "lunch specials" during holidays. They consider "holiday" a week long for Christmas till after new years. Thats just weird...holiday is the holiday-- not holiday week. They dont always make it clear so you would go in and wait 45 min in line to be seated and THEN they tell you- by the way no lunch specials. They know people go there for specials most the time. Its a good deal. The sushi is yummy but depending on who greets you and who your waitress is it varies. I would say we come here mainly for their lunch specials but not really any other time. There is one lady who is super rude- the older one with short curly hair. The other greeters are generally nice. They really dont have much to lose because people are always going to go there and eat because its cheap and easy, and they will wait in line for it. But when something bad happens its- sorry nothing we can do even when you contact their corporate offices. So I give this 2 starts for service and quality, but taste is pretty ok. Its not made by quality chefs though by all means so if you want real sushi this isnt the place...
(2)Michael R.
The sushi isn't bad, but the real draw here is the sushi conveyor belt and the variety of dishes. If you haven't experienced the sushi conveyor belt, you're in for a good time. You basically grab little plates of sushi as they come by. The color of the plate indicates the price and the plates are preceded by a small sign indicating what's on the plate. The fun part is that you never know what's coming next so there can be angst about what to grab (assuming your stomach isn't bottomless.) They have fun with the dishes and you'll see some bizarre combinations like toasted coconut, pineapple, and crab or chicken and BBQ sauce, but most of it is traditional favorites. You may have to wait 15-20 minutes at peak times.
(3)Calvin H.
Ridiculously busy though they may have been, they very handily made up for it with a crazy variety and insane flavor. Instead of teasing you with a menu, they do many better and tease you with a full-on visual display crawling by on a conveyor. All you need to do if you really want something is to just grab it! Never before has looking at a menu tasted so good! Priced just right, this is a good pick for a night out with friends (though again, you will need to be prepared to wait a while).
(4)Natalie S.
Fun! I've had conveyor belt sushi in London at Yo! Sushi but didn't realize we had a place similar in concept in the Chicagoland area. Low and behold, I saw Sushi Station on Check, Please! and wanted to go. I was with the moms and little dude, doing some shopping in the burbs, and I used our close proximity as an excuse to stop in. There were quite a few people ahead of us in line so I was surprised a table came up so quickly. I guess that's the advantage of conveyor belts; you're in and out and tables turn fast. Frankly, the sushi was good but nothing to write home about. But the fact that it was cheap, fresh and fun makes it a 4 star place in my book. The next time we're Ikea-ing I'm going to make another stop in, but I dunno if it's worth the trek all the way from the city just to eat here. FYI: the largest table in the place seats only 7 so it's not great for groups.
(4)Christy S.
One of my favorite sushi places! Been going hear for more than a year and it's absolutely awesome! Sushi is served on a conveyer belt, so you can see exactly what you're getting before you order it (if you're new to sushi, this is very helpful). There is another menu you can order from as well, and they'll bring you the food. I usually always go for lunch just to make it to their lunch specials! I highly recommend their dynamite roll, Godzilla roll, san diego roll, and the classics like spicy tuna and philadelphia rolls. Their fried Shumai and gyoza are my favorite appetizers! And I always end my meal with the chocolate covered marshmallows (YUMMM)! The whole experience leaves your tummy and wallet very happy! The only downfall is that it's very small and it gets really crowded esp during lunch. The "waiting area" is nonexistent. So people waiting for seats are just standing around watching you eat. The waiters are nice but they tend to stand around and watch you eat as well, so you feel the need to rush your meal. A few rolls that i didn't like at all- spider and a few of the tempura ones (sorry i forgot exactly which ones). I definitely recommend going to sushi station! I've introduced this place to so many of my friends, even a few sushi haters, and they've all loved it! :)
(4)Jinah Y.
I used to love Sushi Station but the customer service and quality seems to be diminishing. You typically have minimal interaction with the wait staff since most items are pulled off a conveyor belt... so you would think they would be a bit friendlier. There is always a wait here since this location is smaller (relative to Elgin) but that does not justify rushing customers out. There were people clearing my table including my drink before I had a chance to look at the bill. The Godzilla roll and Phoenix are probably my 2 favorites but the Phoenix off the belt was sub-par during my last visit. I am hesitant to keep going back to this place even though it is one of the cheaper options for sushi.
(3)V C.
Affordable, quick sushi but you get what you pay for. We didn't feel well after we ate here. We swore we wouldn't go back when we left. You're better off spending more for a better quality product!
(2)Nicholas P.
Love this place. It's affordable and fun. It's not the best sushi in town, but it's very good for the price and good quality for the price. Fun for the family.
(5)Colleen D.
Maybe it is the novelty of the conveyor belt. Maybe it is because I can eat as much as I want without the guilt of ordering like a piggie to waitstaff. Maybe it is because they have lots of rolls that are very American-ized -- fake crab, avocado, cream cheese and some sort of off sauce. I like this place but it is not the best I have ever had. The smoked salmon was a bit flavorless and I was too chicken to choose the shumai that were going around and around on the conveyor. Bottom line -- there were lots of great options, especially if you are not a sushi purist or prefer shellfish over regular fish. Not great but does not suck. And the conveyor belt is just cool.
(4)Bianca S.
Over crowed like you're rubbing elbows with the stranger next to you. Fast food quality. The wait to get seated isn't worth it all that much.
(2)Jeff P.
DON'T GO HERE Please AND KIM THE SO CALLED OWNER IS RUDE! We've been going here for years and WAS a big fan of SS. Not anymore. Went there for lunch with my wife and 20 month old son. My son is allergic to a lot of things and last time we were there we tried their kids menu rubber chicken nuggets for my son and he had an allergic reaction. Probably use peanut oil or fry everything in the same basket. My son has shell fish allergy as well. So we were about to be seated and I stopped by McDonald's before to pick up a happy meal and then the rude manager/owner Kim said no outside food allowed we have kids menu. I tried talking nicely telling her that we've tried your rubber chicken before but my son is allergic to most of your stuff. We'll be eating plenty of sushi my wife and I to make up for the $5 you charge for a kids plate. But the manager with her broken English, not truly understanding the situation was not AT ALL sensitive to our situation. Similar to Marcelo's review the management treats the customer like crap. I will never go here again and I've easily spent hundreds of dollars through the years at both the Rolling Meadows and Elgin location. I will miss the true genuine sushi chefs Jose and Juan who roll the sushi there but I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK BECAUSE OF THEIR TERRIBLE MANAGEMENT THERE! Bye bye sushi station it was nice knowing you.
(1)Monica B.
This is the kind of place you need to experience once because of its fun factor but that's it. The sushi is not top quality. I have had better sushi and maki from the grocery store! I definetly won't be back. I heard the rotary sushi bar in Aurora near Fox Valley mall is much better, so I will give this concept a try again, I just didn't care for the food here.
(3)Mark B.
That was the worst quality sushi I have ever had. I will never eat there again.
(1)A K.
I just love love love sushi station. High quality sushi, awesome ingredients, great prices. Basically the perfect place for me.
(5)Dan S.
I love this place!! We eat here as much as possible. They have tons of great sushi and really good prices. TRY THE GODZILLA ROLLS, they are amazing. If you have never had convener belt sushi, you have to check this place out. Just be aware, this is an different style of eating. Chances are, you will be elbow to elbow with a stranger. But it makes it kind of fun. Also, this place does get busy around lunch time and the close for a little while between lunch and dinner, so if you are looking for a late lunch, check their hours.
(5)Dave A.
I've eaten here many times because friends like it but I've tasted way better sushi. Today I felt like counting the plates since each plate is colored and is a certain price. I added everything up and so I knew how much it was going to be with the Schaumburg tax but soon to find out the lady added two more plates on top if what I had so they tried to be sneaky. Not sure why, maybe some other people didn't tip well but I was told to tip well if service was good and it wasn't bad until they tried to rip me off. In other words moral of the story is COUNT AND ADD EVERYTHING YOURSELF! Don't let them rip you off
(1)Marta R.
Freshness is a bit hit and miss, but for the money you can't really fault them. I think take out is not quite as good as eating in. Also menu is quite wide with o-toro, ikura and uni on a menu. Granted neither of those are the best quality, but again quite ok for the money. I am a fan and will come back very soon
(4)Jenny V.
meh. its a cool concept but i wasn't satisfied with the sushi. the one i liked best was probably the spicy tuna because it had spicy mayo on top. a lot of the rolls had a GINORMOUS amount of cucumber stuffed into it. that means i can't get the roll in my mouth. sorry to my table mates for my mess. i might go here again, but definitely will not recommend. i want to think about how awesome my food is even after i'm done eating. and sushi station does not do it for me. sorry.
(2)Brian D.
You spin me right round baby right round, like conveyor belt sushi baby right round right round! This place suits my inner need to view my food before I eat it. I typically will order something off of a menu more often than not if it has a picture, and seeing the menu rotate around the restaurant at all times is very appealing. The food itself is pretty good, although not quite up to par with some higher scale sushi places. The amount of fish that come with the rolls is usually a bit light, especially if you've had rolls from Mitsuwa Market in Arlington Heights. Sushi para in palatine also has all you can eat sushi for about the same price you'll end up paying here. But going back to the conveyor belt design, that's what keeps me coming back. It's fun watching your next dish slowly make its way around the room. The food itself is also pretty good, just not the best in the area.
(4)Jessica M.
Sushi on a conveyor belt? WHAT GENIUS THOUGHT OF THIS?! This place was hopping at 7pm on a Thursday night but we didn't mind. Once we were seated, we got a couple of beers and the sushi just kept coming around. It's neat that the pricing is set up via the color of the plate you pick - keeps it simple. The sushi is decent - but like Mark F. said you never know how long it's been going 'round and 'round. That said, I kept it simple with rolls I am familiar with. Would totally go back!
(4)Justin L.
Decent sushi, decent conveyor belt place, but nothing special. I love conveyor belt sushi places and have been going to them for at least 10+ years (just not in this country) and this is a good attempt at it, but I think they take the creative rolls too far, and don't make enough conveyor offerings of traditional sushi (nigiri and sashimi). I had to make several orders off the menu to get what I wanted, but at least that's an option. Overall... I wouldn't recommend this place for sushi loves in general, but for the novelty factor, why not one visit.
(3)Steve K.
Disclaimer: HUGE SUSHI SNOB. The quality of sushi is surprisingly better than expected. Variety is not the issue here. All the common sushi and specialty rolls are available. The weird part for me is all the sushi is on a conveyor belt. Everyone sticking their hands inside to grab dishes is pretty disgusting.
(3)Andrew K.
Conveyor belt and color coded for pricing plates work great for casual sushi lunch or dinner. I usually go with the healthier options (fish/seafood and veggies, no tempura, cream cheese, masago-mayo, etc.). The fish/seafood in sushi, rolls, and salads is fresh and hence tasting great. This is the best sushi place around for the price.
(4)Neetha V.
If you love sushi and like variety, rather than sticking to just one roll.,, this is the place for you!! The conveyor belt lets you see and pick the rolls.. Which is cool!! $$ spent totally worth!!
(4)Diana G.
This was my first experience with the food conveyor for sushi. It was fun. The sushi was good, but not the best. A very good place to go with friends to experience something different and fun. Selection wasn't a lot, but enough. There was quite a few different type sushi that you can order off the menu. I love unagi and I thought it was great here! Also, love the sushi wallpaper. Very cute.
(4)Amy X.
I have been to many sushi places around Chicago areas, and I can honestly say Sushi Station is quite consistent with their quality and I will go back if I have the chance. But I do live in the city, therefore, traveling all the way to Algonquin is not too practical. So don't be mistaken, I don't come for the over-clustered rolls of sushi. I like surveying the variety they offer, even the ones on the menu that must be order separately. Among the many dishes, the tuna was the only one I didn't like, it was quite stale.
(4)Phyllis S.
This is a place to go for a unique experience and it is reasonably inexpensive. Not a bad place to take first timers for sushi, because there is a lot of newbie-friendly items with cooked ingredients. Also, they have food that isn't just sushi and some creative spins on classic dishes using different ingredients. (LOTS of mayo-based sauce toppings, for example.) The plates are color-coded to indicate price. I find it is easy to run up a big tab, if one is not paying attention to the colors, cause I get carried away by the experience. Now, the sushi on the conveyor belt is not always SUPER fresh. (After all, it's been going on a conveyor belt around the restaurant, right?) However, sushi aficionados can just pick up the menu and order whatever they want. That sushi IS very fresh and very quickly brought to you. I would also mention that they have some AWESOME deals for lunchtime during the week. (Like $1.25 specials) However, if you go on a Friday at lunch time, be prepared to wait a bit to sit down. I've noticed a trend at sushi restaurants. It seems like these days, they've started to go away from scoops of green tea ice cream and are more likely to serve mochi. That's fine if you like mochi, but I can stand to skip the extra carbs. (Mochi is a ball of icecream wrapped in a glutinous rice dough and dusted with powdered sugar.) I prefer my ice cream by the scoop, and that's what they have here. YAY! Pros: FUN! Unusual experience. Fairly inexpensive. They have non-sushi items on the menu. Cons: Can be loud and crowded.
(3)Darren F.
eh... i don't think sushi station is all that... in my opinion their sushi is just average.. comparable to sushi buffet quality... they do have more varieties to choose from now since the last time i went, which was many years back... i do like the idea of the food moving around on a belt tho.. just grab the plate out when you see something you like.. if you a big eater like me, prepare to spend a lot! they charge you by plate colors.. each color plate is a certain price.. as much as i want to like sushi station.. the food is just not good enough for the price I'm paying..
(2)Kris L.
I checked out Sushi Station this week after last weekends appearance on Check Please! which I probably wont do again because it was packed at 8:00 pm on a Monday. No big deal I got seated at the sushi bar with the conveyor belt rockin sushi around the place in only 15 minutes anyway. I would say a few of the other yelpers have it right the place is fun because of the conveyor belt turbo food delivery system they have but after the novelty wears off the fish is just ok. The fatty salmon on Monday smelled a little, the tuna was ok and the unagi was oddly cut but fired fresh. The seared shumai were good and so were the potstickers if you got them just when they were made but there is no guarantee of that since they ride the conveyor belt. You can order anything off the menu to be sure you get it right after it was made if you really want to be sure. I would say it was fun, very reasonably priced and maybe a good place to introduce kids to sushi so for those reasons give it a try.
(3)Aly L.
Great value for the price! Always fresh, the variety is standard with a few custom rolls. My favorites are the Godzilla and the Rainbow rolls. The staff at there is very efficient and friendly. Try to get there early on the weekends as it gets packed early during the dinner time.
(5)Brian A.
awesome food, try the honey salmon coated in panko crumbs and topped with mayo so delish. Also other dishes were on point and the only reason this place did not get five stars is because of the price, a little steep for the amount of food you get
(4)Kei A.
Sushi is high quality and is all very tasty. Fish is fresh, therefore the roll's presentation comes out well. The staff is always heavily pressured, but they always pull off a smile and come off as 'nice', so that's a plus. The crowd gathers very quickly during lunchtime, so I suggest showing up a bit earlier than lunch or after 2pm for less of a crowd. Otherwise, the sushi is all very well prepared. Very good overall.
(3)Catie V.
"Holy conveyor belt Batman!" Sushi station is a super swanky lil' restaurant that offers inventive approaches in terms of their menu and dining style. I was pretty amused when i walked in and saw a lovely conveyor belt transport small sushi plates to eager customers in the dining area. This is a common restaurant practice is some asian countries, and it just makes me think of how much cooler they are for creating and implementing such a system. (Come on murrica! hop on the wagon towards restaurant modernization! Getting food delivered to your table by a server is archaic as all hell, and until matter replication becomes a thing, i want a cute lil' choo choo train contraption dealy doo to deliver me the goods!) The one thing i'm not too crazy about is the seating arrangement. The seats are arranged in a horse-shoe pattern around the belt and it's a pretty tight squeeze. It makes me think that the customers and i are a bunch of herd animals feeding from a trough, and this 'murrican' needs some personal space, ya dig? The plates come in different colors which correspond to various prices. Overall, it's pretty easy to eat on the cheaps here because there are usually lunch specials and the prices aren't too expensive. Also, if you don't see what you like on the belt you can ask a server and they will surely bring you whatever it is you desire. The sushi here is a mixture of traditional and experimental, and i always eye the crazy jelly fish dish that glares right at me each time it strolls on by. If i wasn't so averse to sliminess or tentacle-esque things, i'd totally try it, but for now it's war! This place gets packed really quick and i wouldn't even bother coming in here with a large group. 2-4 people max, or prepare to wait for eons. Overall, this place is awesome and i lurve itttt.
(4)Elizabeth T.
Been here several times to give the restaurant several tries before passing judgement. Sorry, Sushi Station but me no love you long time. + Friendly service + Cheap plates (however, you do get what you pay for) - Poor quality sushi. Rolls are super big but poor quality: mostly chockfull of cucumber. - The shrimp tempura roll pissed me off. The end part only had the tail of the shrimp without the shrimp meat. For realz? If you want quick sushi in a restaurant that values quick turn-over over sushi quality, this may be the place for you. I prefer restaurants with higher quality sushi. You do get what you pay for in this case.
(2)Adam H.
After watching 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi', its hard to not crave raw fish, and although I can't fly to Tokyo to eat at Jira's restaurant, I can mosey over to my local Sushi Station to get my fix. We typically get seated at the counter, however during the most recent visit we scored a table and thoroughly enjoyed our elbow room. Although we've been here many times, I don't think I've ever eaten the same meal twice, but I do always get their Phoenix Roll to kick off the experience and always will until they don't offer it anymore. I can't exactly rattle off my favorite dishes for the Yelp community, because I simply go in hungry and wait until I find something that strikes my fancy then snatch it before anyone else can; that's the beauty of the conveyor belt system. You really do eat with your eyes here, then your chopsticks (if you can manage). Their service is usually really good, they're attentive and polite and really hustle. I can safely say I've never been disappointed by a staff member. The wait can be long depending upon your arrival time but the host(s) are very conscientious of the patrons. They are sure to keep you informed about your spot in line, and seat you promptly when spots open up. I'm not brave enough to try the Jellyfish Salad, but I'll be back for just about any of their rolls and their Green Tea Ice Cream. The night is not complete without that good stuff. Kanpai
(4)Dale Z.
Here is a disclosure.. I am writing this review based off of service. I have been here a few times for lunch with no complaints. The food is usually better than what you would expect for a place like this... The concept is really cool.. and the only complaint I have about the sushi is the weird concoctions that dont seem to be appealing... More familiar types would be cooler. But I digress to todays encounter and debacle. I went for lunch with 4 other folks from work. We were all excited to go and when we go there, there was no wait! Usually the lunch wait is fairly long. We walk in, tell the host that we had 6 people and then he took us right to a table. Cool! Right? Wrong. My buddy miscounted and we only had 5 people. So the host comes back to the table and starts yelling at us. Seriously. He was yelling about us not all being there and that we told him 6 people but there was only 5 of us.. I mean.. this guy was on a rant. We said we miscounted and there were only 5 of us.. no big deal.. He kept yelling about us "lying" to him. Yes.. he said we lied to him about how many people we had and would have to go back up to the front and wait for the 6th person to join us.. We explained again there were only 5 of us. He still wasnt happy and kept badgering us. They asked us if we were going to wait to start eating or if we were going to eat right away. Finally he said that he would "let it slide" this time. Really? This guy caused a scene for no reason.. there still was no line at the door and plenty of other open tables. We were slightly offended but decided to stay. A couple of the people I was with were still pretty upset.. so they asked for the manager.. So the owner came over. We TRIED to explain to her what happened.. She shook her head and said "ok..ok..ok... uh huh..uh huh.. Ok .." I dont think she understood what we were saying.. I also dont thing she cared one but at all. Very unprofessional and just not good business. even though the food and atmosphere are good.. and I like the place.. the service today and the way we were treated will probably result in us not returning. Treating customers like this is uncalled for. I dont think that a customer should ever be called a liar.. especially when it was an admitted mistake with no harm done. Sometimes service is more important than the product.
(1)Sarah S.
This is actually my favorite place for sushi. I love the conveyor belt! It's always a fun place to take someone who hasn't been to a conveyor belt sushi place. :) I went for lunch this week with two coworkers (I've never seen one person consume $60 of sushi alone at this place...Patrick, you're a mountain beast!) and it was great as usual. Lunch Pro-Tip: Get there right when they open at 11:30...about 20 minutes in, a wait developed. At lunch they have awesome specials! Their Godzilla roll is one of my favorites normally...hot salmon, imitation crab, and cream cheese...omnom...but to get 2 pieces for $1.50!? Amazing deal! The sushi is yummy and super cheap! You take just as much as you want and don't have to take anything extra. They have a lot of special rolls here that I haven't seen other places. My absolute favorite is the hanako roll which has tempura crumbs, cream cheese, imitation crab, green onions, topped with their special mayo & teriyaki sauce! I've never seen another sushi place have something similar. The only problem with the hanako roll is it's so big, I honestly have to cut it with a fork so I can fit it in my tiny mouth. =/ They always have a ton of nigiri and very interesting roll choices that I've never seen other places...combining things I wouldn't ever think to put in a roll. For lunch this week, one roll I ate had baby shrimps, corn, and mayo in it...so stange! But divine! Cheap, tasty non sushi eats, too like udon, tempura, gyoza. They have some delicious desserts, too, like mocha topped with red bean paste! We got green tea & red bean ice cream for our dessert this week...I would seriously die for red bean ice cream! It's marvelous! They are great about splitting checks....you tip in a big jar at the front as they yell in Japanese while you're leaving! You can also get to go from here. Not gonna lie, I've ordered a philly roll & hanako roll for pickup post work before...it's quick & easy! Definitely recommended!
(5)Courtney H.
Went here for the first time on a Friday night and though it was busy, the wait time was not unreasonable. The conveyor belt is genius and they have such a nice variety of rolls. I believe there's a menu you can order from as well, but half the fun is grabbing from the never-ending train of yummy options. The plates either come in 2 or 4 rolls, and as stated in previous reviews, the plates are color coded so you know how much each roll is going to be. The only downside I can see is it's really tight quarters if you're sitting at the bar thing, and not much personal space, so if you have claustrophobia, this isn't the place for you. Favorite rolls were the winter rolls and the philly - because of the high volume of people, you know it's fresh. They also have chocolate covered strawberries which were wonderful and a nice treat at the end of an amazing meal. I can't wait to go back!
(5)James L.
Great place for a sushi fix! Yes, it's true. Took the parents there and they had a blast. Many asorted pieces and you pick what you want. Pay by the plate and order if you don't see it. Hot sake and good sushi, what else can you ask for... Service was great as well. Will keep coming back.
(4)Roxolana S.
I really like the rotating sushi concept, and they have some pretty unique rolls that I have never seen anywhere else, such as Inferno roll. Always great service, and the lunch specials are phenomenal! If the place was bigger and better decorated I'd definitely rate this place 5 star.
(4)C.L. S.
I admit its fun watching your food roll around and it makes it easier to make your selection but its kind of gimmicky. I'd rather have better quality food at better prices. Don't get me wrong its just ok sushi nothing to write home about and you could go down the street and get the same thing, it just doesn't move around on you.
(2)Lisa S.
Is writing a review when a restaurant upsets you kind of like grocery shopping when you are hungry? Time will tell. I love sushi station, but I'm kind of mad at them. I went this weekend with a friend. We waited 45 minutes to get seated. The fairness meter in my brain tells me that if you wait for 45 minutes to get seated you should be able to sit for at least 45 minutes. The host who apologetically seated us after a long wait, apologetically kicked us out which begs the question, was he really sorry? I think we were seated for a grand total of 30 minutes but since we were finished eating we were asked to leave. I said to my friend, "This is why we should go to the Elgin one, they don't kick you out." To which the host replied, "Yah, go to the Elgin one." It was pretty rude. Its not the first time I've been asked to leave when I was finished eating. I will go to the Elgin one next time.
(3)Michael I.
This is the only place that I know of that does the sushi train in IL. The sushi is fresh and made right in front of you. They have a huge selection of sushi if they dont have it I dont think you need it.The service is excellent and friendly. Price seems to be reasonable they charge by color of plate FYI. This is one of my fav. sushi spots. This is a must stop in if your in the area.
(5)Clarissa G.
When I first tried sushi, this was the place to be. Sushi are freshly made. It is very cool how you can see the selections. I missed their cheesecake, though. Come see for yourself and check out this sushi resto.
(4)Ehow C.
Conveyer belts and sushi? Yes please. Arriving at lunchtime on a Saturday was a poor decision, but we did get a table after a decent wait. After 12 plates of sushi (read: $25), I was pretty satisfied. My highlights included fatty salmon nigiri, spicy scallop maki, and caterpillar maki. I was a bit upset at the seared fatty salmon nigiri. The fish became rubbery and chewy, which ruined the whole plate. Stick with the unseared dishes unless you know the chefs can do it correctly.
(4)Lisa N.
Very casual sushi place. Families welcome. I like it here because I don't have to worry about the tab while we eat whatever we want off the belt. It is always super crowded on the weekend evenings, but you are seated fairly quickly. I like unconventional sushi like Philadelphia rolls or Shrimp Harmony there.
(4)Rowena M.
We go here purely for the sake of the kids being entertained by the giant, rotating conveyor belt; they love lifting the mini doors to grab the plate. Prices are ok and quality just mediocre. The best time to go is during the weekend- there seems to be more options. Service is always prompt.
(3)Jason L.
One of my favorite places. Get the Magma roll! I only wish the people answering the phone would understand my order - there is a bit of a language barrier.
(4)Leo J.
I love Sushi station. It's not the highest quality Sushi place that you can go to, but they have a wide variety of stuff on the conveyor belt, and you can also order stuff on the spot. They also allow you to call and order ahead for carryout. This place is nice because you can be an impulse sushi eater, and take a plate that looks good to you. It's nice to be able to have variety like that. I wish that more places would do something like that. Everything I have ever eaten here has been fresh, and tasty. They charge by the color of plate here. Pricing is clearly labeled when you sit down. Almost all the seating is at the "Bar" The saki selection is nice too. This place is busy as hell on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights though at dinner time. Be Prepared to wait like 30-45 mins. The waiting area is cramped too. Go here if you love Sushi. You wont be disappointed
(4)Jillian H.
I really enjoyed Sushi Station. Good Phoenix Roll and Paradise Roll. Actually I liked all the rolls we tried. The Unagi was really good, absolutely my favorite. The only sushi I didn't care for was the Uni and unfortunately that was the last one that I ordered. I like the conveyor belt concept of selecting the sushi you want as it goes by. If you don't see what you want you can order it. The Host at the front door could be friendlier other than that a really good experience. I will return when I'm in the area and craving some sushi. Yummy and affordable sushi.
(4)Caroline D.
best value for price. I love their sushi. Never had a problem ordering on the phone and my favorite is magma roll... the green tea ice-cream is worth trying. love this place.
(5)My T.
Staff was very friendly but I didn't think the sushi rolls, nigiri or anything else for that matter was worth the visit. It's definitely worth checking out if you've never done a conveyor belt sushi event but the food is nothing to write home about.
(3)Minh D.
On a good day you get great sushi joint on a moving belt. The prices are great very affordable here. Although sometimes I find the fish slices are cut thinner, almost sushi buffet thin, most times the fish portion is of the standard thickness or slightly thin. The fish quality is not consistently good. Some days there are fewer choices and the fish do not seem as quality and fresh. The rice of the nigiri is not properly packed... very lose. It's a hit or miss thing. For the price they are charging short comings here and there are acceptable.
(3)Penny L.
Not only are their prices great but they have some of the best spicy tuna around! They offer some different varieties of sushi if you dine in as opposed to take-out and it's all delicious. The staff is super friendly too. My only complaint is that they don't modify anything, like if you want a roll without rice or tobiko, they refuse to do it. I wish they would. I would definitely eat here more often if they did.
(3)Erica J.
I went for the lunch on Sat. Very disappointed! service was awful. Wait over 10 mins till server come to us and ask for a drink. Then they told us that the food on the rail, that it they won't make a new one anymore and said the kitchen gonna close soon so in the way they tell us to hurry up order, eat , pay and get out. Seriously, they keep rushing us the whole time. We got there at 1 pm and I know they close at 2 pm. I thought that would give enough time to eat. They keep asking us. Do you want anything else?? and drop us a bill so we put our card right away and after we sign, she just took our check. OMG!! this is the rudest service EVER!!! I know you wanna get off your shift and counting your TIP soooooo bad... I know I know but you don't have to make it this obvious!!! Overall: -Sushi put so much rice with a very thin fish -Rush bitchy service -NOT worth your money!! It's look cheap but it DOESN'T!!! NOT GOING BACK!!!
(1)Alisa M.
Today was the 2nd time that I've been to this place to eat. I guess the concept of the conveyor belt sushi makes the meal more exciting. You get to look at all the food passing by and pick whatever dish you want. Each dish color signifies a price for the dish. They offer a variety of sushi as well as desserts and some appetizers as well. If there are other things that you want to order that's not on the belt, they give you a menu where you can order off of that too. The price for the sushi is not bad for a sushi place. The fish is pretty decent, comparable to Sushi Para. The service is good also. I went there today and had a decent about of sushi. Between the 3 of us, the total bill came out to $50. This place is nice for people who want to try sushi in smaller amounts. The dishes range from 1.25- 7. Most of the dishes that we got were in the $3.25 range. This included salmon and tuna nigiri, spicy tuna rolls, and shrimp tempura rolls. I would definitely recommend this place because of the atmosphere. Being able to pick and choose the food passing by is always fun and the food just keeps coming. I guess if you have a huge appetite for sushi, going to a buffet would be more bang for you buck. If you'd like to try a lot of different sushi, this would be one place to try.
(4)Angelica S.
The service was wonderful, they are quick to clean up and bring water and such. For newbie sushi people this is a good place to start. You get a large selection of sushi in small portions. So if you don't like it, its okay! Not a big waste. Everything is price by what color your plate is. Which is pretty cool. If there is something not on the menu you can ask the chef to make you something. Definitely a cool way to get food with the conveyor belt style serving. BUT BEWARE! This one is very small compared to the Elgin location. So when it's busy you might have to wait a bit to be seated.
(4)Katy B.
Yelp is pretty accurate on this one. The conveyor belt and colored plates pricing is a novel and fun idea. It is cool to not have to commit to full rolls but rather be able to choose about three pieces and try as many different roles as are on the conveyor belt. The sushi isn't exceptionally fresh and a lot of this place's appeal comes from the originality of it.
(3)Bob J.
Mediocre at best. The lunch specials are a good deal and you can have a filling sushi meal on the cheap, but the quality is that of pre-made grocery store sushi.
(2)Mark F.
Sushi at your selection and price point all on the convenience of it being delivered on a nonstop conveyor belt, who could ask for anything more? This place was great in terms of concept and atmosphere. As soon as we walked in the workers cheered as if they were happy for more customers. It wasn't only because we were so dashingly good looking, they did it for everyone. Contrary to some other reviews, the restaurant was not jam packed. We were sat right away right on the bar next to some other sushi-loving patrons. Seeing California Rolls and Cream Puffs come strolling by via conveyor was something I thought I'd be against, but it was really cool to choose what I ate by price per plate. Simply open the window as the plate comes by, pull it out, eat it up and stack your plates as you go. When you're finished a nearby server adds up the total and you pay up front. How easy is that? No one bothered us, they were around if we needed anything and we ate a whole lot for a small price tag, as it pertains to sushi. The thing to note is - the sushi isn't the best. It's alright, but you have no idea how long it's been going round and round on the belt. Has it been there 10 minutes or 10 hours? I don't know. People are constantly making new sushi behind the counter. The overall feeling is, you get what you pay for. We wanted a casual, easy-to-eat, enjoyable experience for a good price and that's exactly what we received. Decent sushi in a unique way at a great price. I plan to go back often and bring new people each time I go so they too can enjoy sushi strolling on by on a conveyor belt.
(4)Vivi W.
yummy, cheap, fast sushi (given the wait time doesn't take too too long) It's not the fanny Japanese sushi, but the fish is always fresh
(4)Kevin S.
I have been going to Sushi Station for 5 years now. This is the place that really turned me on to sushi. The prices are very reasonable and the sushi comes to you on a conveyer belt. It can get pretty packed for dinner but the line usually is never more than 20 minutes. Do not come expecting top grade sushi but if you want a decent meal on a budget, this is the place for you.
(4)Heather L.
Is it the best sushi you'll ever have? No. But it's good and it's fun and it's an excellent way to introduce your kids to sushi as they get to see everything on the conveyor belt before they grab it.
(4)Emily H.
Normally I am a complete sushi snob when it comes to sushi made in the Midwest because we are so far from saltwater ports. But this place really recreates the authentic kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) experience, right down to the sweet little old ladies refilling your matcha tea every 5 minutes. The fish is fresh, the cutting/arrangement is professional, and most of the 'artistic' or 'American' rolls are actually delicious. Best of all they don't skimp on the wasabi. I like a little burnination with my sushi. Skip the garbage all-you-can-eat places. At conveyor belt sushi you pay by the plate, but you get fresh, delicious, beautifully-prepared fish, plentiful garnishes and have to eat only as much as you want. Plus the conveyor belt aspect keeps it exciting because you have to keep at eye on what's rolling by to not miss chef specials and dessert runs. Sushi should be savored, not stuffed in as fast as possible to get your money's worth.
(5)Michelle F.
I'm on board ... on board the sushi train! I've been hearing about how awesome Sushi Station is for a while now, and I'm so glad that I finally tried it. I went to the Rolling Meadows location on a Sunday around noon. Even though it just opened for the day, it was pretty crowded. There was a 10 minute wait, and a group of people who came in after us were seated before we were. I guess that's the only reason I'm giving this place four stars instead of five. I know they try to seat groups of four or more at the tables and groups of two (like us) at the bar, but it's still pretty annoying. Anyway, once we were seated, we had a great time. The sushi comes out on this conveyor belt, and you can pick and choose which rolls you want. There's usually four sushi pieces per plate, and each plate is color-coded to indicate price. They also put little placards behind each each roll that describes what's inside, which I thought was very helpful. I think it's a really great way to try rolls that you might not try otherwise. I highly recommend the Philadelphia and Spider rolls. They have other things besides sushi on the conveyer belt too. We had seaweed salad and two different kinds of dumplings that were delicious. You can also order off the menu. We had the tempura with veggies and shrimp. Both were very good. We also had green tea ice cream, which is my favorite. Overall, I thought Sushi Station was very cool. It's a totally unique way to eat sushi and try rolls you might not try at a regular sushi restaurant, and it's very reasonably priced. I will definitely be back!
(4)Michael S.
Conveyor belt sushi... Such a novel concept to bring to the midwest! Came on a Friday night and was told for two it'd be a 15 minute wait. Quite awesome considering the line seemed long. It's a good thing the wait is short as I saw an ex dining here and felt the immediate need to hide! Luckily we were seated on the opposite side with the sushi to block. Sushi itself was good. Tons of different choices. It's nice for the fact you can try lots of different sushi since they come on small plates. Really liked their spicy tuna though I think I'm just a sucker for the spicy mayo. Also good was the paradise roll and their fatty tuna. Ended up paying a little more than $50 for two people which is about the same as going to some other sushi places. It was fun to try and will definitely go again if in the area.
(4)Katie V.
*Finally* found conveyor belt sushi in Illinois. As expected, it was pretty basic. The miso soup was excellent and the rolls I tried (sorry, can't remember which ones they were) were tasty. I do wish they had more of a variety, though. They have lots of different spicy rolls or rolls with spicy things in them--certainly the ratio was 3:2 spicy to non-spicy. The fountain drinks were sub-par, with lots of ice and not a lot of syrup. We might try it again, but so far I haven't been satisfied with any sushi joints in Illinois.
(3)J.J M.
ok not only was this place fun because you get to pick out sushi on the conveyer belt but it was also yummy and affordable. The waitress was also really nice and explained how the color of the plates indicates the price and also the menu we can order from. I know its not a very authentic sushi place but we tend to eat the makis anyways and not brave enough to try the real deal raw stuff.... YET :)
(5)Jenni E.
I love this concept - but I don't love the execution of that concept here. I was really surprised when I pulled up to this out of the way sushi location 10 minutes before it opened to find that there was a line out the door of people waiting to eat here. That's a good sign, right.... I was quickly seated at the bar which takes up the entire restaurant. There are no tables, you are either sitting at the bar or waiting to be seated If you weren't in the line waiting before they opened, then you are waiting. In front of you, there is a clear tube where plates of sushi ride along on a conveyor belt pass by and there is a small door that you can open to take the plates out of the tube. The plates are color coded by price with the least expensive being $1.25 and the most expensive being $6.25. I didn't see any plates that were coded $1.25 and I felt like the majority of things (at least the ones that I would want to eat) were priced around $3.25. There are a few pieces (2-4) on each plate, so it is fairly easy to eat $20 worth of sushi. You can also order any of their items off of the menu and they will bring it to you rather than having to wait for it to come around on the conveyor belt. What I felt could have used the most improvement was the quality and selection of sushi that was offered. I found a lot of the rolls to be very similar to each other and pretty basic. That probably would have been fine with me if they were really great rolls, but they are only okay. I think I probably enjoyed the nigri best, it was pretty fresh and probably the best bang for your buck. I just kept thinking how great this place would be if instead of the okay sushi I was eating, these plates were filled with really good sushi. I'd be a regular for sure - like I said the concept is great...the sushi...eh. The weird thing is that you would think from the crowd that this place draws, the sushi was the best outside of Japan or free....neither was true. About 10 minutes into my lunch, I looked up and realized that there was a mob of people waiting for my seat on either side of the bar - as well as another line outside of the door. You do feel rushed while all of these people are waiting for a seat. I do think that what plays a big part in the wait is the lack of great sushi options. I felt like I waited quite a bit in between plates because I was looking for something great to eat and I would wait and wait until I found something that caught my eye. The bar isn't very small - there are quite a few seats, but I do think that they have probably outgrown this location. If I was in the area, I might try this place again if there wasn't a wait, but I have seen this done better at Sushi Train in Romeoville.
(3)Lalita A.
I love this place. It is so cute ! What I would recommend is to go with 4 or more people. Being someone who likes to try a bit of everything, I wouldn't want a plate of 4 pieces of sushi for myself. Dessert you need to try ! THE DANGO ! :) SO GOOD and SWEET . For two people, I paid $25, that is extremely reasonable for two full stomachsi. Really now, how much does it take you to spend and be satisfied in a sushi restaurant ?
(4)Erin B.
All their fish is fresh but I wish it all didn't have immense globs of sauce on it or wasn't super spicy. I go here when I really want a lot of Sushi for cheap and don't care that much about tasting the individual flavors. I know that goes against the religion of sushi but anyone who gets a bad craving for sushi that just needs to be fulfilled understands. Sushi station is basically my sushi booty call where I can get what my fix in a hurry.
(3)Marianne C.
I always have enjoyed going to Sushi Station - it's a unique and the sushi is always good. Lately it has gone downhill. the cuts are thin, the rice excessive under the sushi - the selection mediocre. My last experience - Jan 4 we waited close to 20 minutes to sit - no biggie - but then after about 15 minutes - the push started - we were asked every 3-5 minutes if we were ready to leave. I was in mid bite and asked if I wanted my check. they had about 4 couples waiting - it's not like we were slackers - the bill was $42 w/o tip and we had 13 plates give or take - but it got so miserable - we quit and left. I tried to complain to the "trainee" who was nice enough - but never did get a manager - the minute I started she scurried away. Get it together Sushi Station - your success can easily disappear pissing off your regulars... go but be prepared
(2)Brett S.
The Sushi tastes good and is well prepared, though the portions are small and really, really expensive. Two Strawberries with a little cup of cream sauce, $2.25. Small sashimi of salmon, $3.25, it goes on and on. I went their with my two sons (10 & 6), granted have a great time with the sushi boats, we spent $61. They needed to eat when they got home as they didn't have nearly enough food for them even after such a ridiculous bill. For those who have been there and wondering, we only had pink ($2.25) and blue (3.25) plates. The portions are so dismal it's a joke. After my last visit tonight, I will not be back. The only reason I will go back there is if my son asks to on his birthday again. Though I don't think I can afford to bring both my boys again. When I mentioned to the cashier that I was displeased with the bill, she laughed at me. Just smirking...
(2)Donna R.
I definitely prefer the Elgin location over this one and only for two reasons.. 1) Elgin is a lot bigger 2) For lunch, the Elk Grove location stops serving food at 2 (This was on a Friday) so the place is completely packed by 2 and they kind of rushed us out of there The food is still amazing though and you can't beat their prices.
(4)Amy L.
Unique conveyor belt within the chicago land area, but sushi was not so good. Decent priced sushi, but I felt the sushi on the belt had gone around quite a while, and there wasn't really a way of telling but some of the sushi was turning brown colored from the eel/ sauce that they were topped with. Ginger was fantastic though. Didn't think anything was exceptionally fresh, felt like I was eating at a buffet with sushi that's be out for a while. It's not bad, but definitely not the fresh that I've had within the area.
(3)PJ J.
So, it is what it is, forget any long winded "bad service" reviews... Come on, if the place is rocking and rolling I'd kick you out too if you just sat there pondering what to get! HELLO! Its in front of you, on a conveyor. Anyhoo...GOOD SERVICE. Some of the Chicago area's BEST ROLLS. SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS. The place IS CHEAP EATS, but you'll rack up the charges if you inhale the entire conveyor though. People who think this is not good should take the time to see that though its kinda factory themed -there is surely good Japanese sushi principals at work here...and yeah -robot made nigiri is supposed to have a more factory, robot made feel to it. Get with it. Sushi Station rocks!!!!!
(4)Markus L.
While on Business in Schaumberg, we heard of a little place that had Sushi on a conveyor belt. With three clicks on the Yelp app on my phone, we found Sushi Station. I must say, I love Sushi and have tasted a lot of variations in my day. Although the Sushi at Sushi Station isn't the "Freshest", it's not bad. We went to Sushi station for the experience more than the "freshness" factor. I loved how they priced their plates, ranging from $1.00 to $5.00, although there were not many $1.00 plates that came out. I'd say that Sushi station has more variety than most other Sushi shops. The only draw back with Sushi Station is the size of the establishment, since we had to wait 45 minutes for just the two of us. I would highly suggest against going in as a big group, three at most. Once you get past the waiting, it's as simple as sitting down and taking sushi off a conveyor belt. The staff is very friendly and the owners are as well. The place was busy and a bit loud, so don't expect to have a quiet candle light dinner for two. If the roll was a specialty roll, it would usually have 2 to 4 pieces. If it was a normal roll like a California roll, expect 4-6 pieces. If it's nigiri, just 2 pieces on a plate. As for price, my wife and I left the establishment with a $61 bill + tip. I'm rating this place two $$ since an average person for one could get away with eating just 7 plates and reach $30.... just don't eat too many purple plates. Sushi Station was a great experience and a must see if you're in the area.
(5)Debbie L.
This is a rotating sushi bar, where dishes are color coded on a conveyor belt. The sushi is not the most fresh but it's always a fun night when I visit. Definitely one of a kind and is great to bring kids to!
(4)Nancy H.
The best way to try a little bit of everything if you're into variety or just not sure of what type of sushi you like. Most plates only come with 2-4 pieces so that you're not forced to finish an entire roll you don't like (usually 6-8 pieces) if you were at a regular restaurant. You are seated around this conveyor belt that rotates around the restaurant and kitchen. On the conveyor belt sit color-coded plates of rolls, appetizers (edamame, seaweed salad, cold jellyfish, calamari), and desserts (cream puffs, chocolate cake, fruits). A price is designated to each colored plate. They constantly replenish empty spots with the same item or new items. The trick is to grab whatever you are certain you want and be patient for what's still yet to come out. There is also a menu from which you can order specialty rolls and cooked food straight from the kitchen. Our party of 3 paid nearly $20/pp and were completely stuffed. The fish isn't the absolute freshest, and the cases aren't refrigerated, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I'm a sucker for differentiation.
(4)Vince L.
This is what I would call beginner sushi, if you have never tried sushi or are not sure you will like it go to sushi station. Once you have been around the block a few times and you know you stuff this place will not stack up to a good sushi place, but that being said it is much cheaper here.
(3)Hen H.
By far the most underrated place to get sushi. Not only is it a unique experience, but the sushi is so great for the price. If you have no experienced it you absolutely must.
(4)Sally W.
It's like you're looking at the merry-go-around of Sushi. Decent sushi, great if you ask them to make fresh, but it depends on who makes it. The price is decent, since you get what you pay for by the color of the dish. BUT don't go if you have large party, you can't fit yourself there. It's literally Japanese style as far as space goes. Especially Friday nights, it's very crowed and with that many people, especially in the winter, you get to know your 'neighbors' pretty well. As a side notes, be very clear on your to-go large orders and don't order miso soup for large to go order. We've order like 5 times take out and they forgot our soup like 3 times. Make sure you send in the order form if you're ordering pickup.
(3)Sarah-jayne M.
If you've read my reviews ( and WHO hasn't?? LOL) you know I love sushi. I can be a little bit of a sushi snob. This place is very good for beginners. The sushi goes around the resturant on a conveyer belt and the plates are color coded to determine price. I like the maki especially. Good variety of rolls, the breeze and the phoenix were both really good. There's nothing out of the ordinary and the actual sushi might not be that high quality but the overall experience is good and the prices are reasonable. The only down side is this place gets busy so you often have to wait to be seated and then once you are done eating they are ready to whisk you out of there. So, long conversations need to be taken else where.
(3)Justin W.
I love this place, aside from one service-based gripe (which I will address at the end). You don't have to wait for someone to make your sushi, they have reasonable prices, and if you want something fresh from the chef, they'll hook you up. Great place for lunch, but you have to watch the plates you pull. You can easily have a personal bill ranging from under $10 to $20+. Fresh and tasty for a midwest sushi bar. One time I botched pulling a piece of flan out of the production line and it fell on me and the floor. The staff saw it, but nobody offered to give me anything to help clean it up...And they charged me for it. I didn't bitch, as I firmly believe in "You break it, you buy it," but for something that's a buck or two, I would have written it off for my customer. Having them return means more than a few extra bucks. Return on Investment, baby.
(4)Jyo H.
Interesting for the first few times. But their variety gets boring really fast. At first glance, the prices may seems reasonable but the cuts are thin and portions are small compared to other japanese restaurants in the area. Service is generally good and staff are polite. This is sort of 'fast food' quality sushi but too bad the prices don't reflect this.
(3)Covert W.
Honestly you come here for the novelty of the conveyor belt, not for the quality of the sushi. The rolls tend to be on the small side, and the quality of the fish isn't the best.
(3)Renee I.
I have to admit I was intimidated by all the negative reviews -- horrible service, wait staff yelling at customers -- but I wanted to go anyway for the novelty of the conveyor belt and was very pleased with the food and service. Two of us went on a Thursday evening around 6:30 and the place was packed but we got a seat right away. It got even busier while we were there so I understand the urgency the staff has to get you in and out. This is not a place to linger over your food and catch up with old friends. While we were there the people on both sides of us came and went but we never felt pressured to hurry up or leave. The sushi was very good and they even have sweet desserts (choc covered strawberries, choc cake) for people who don't think a meal is complete without having something sweet for dessert. (Me!) We will definitely go again.
(4)Jon J.
A conveyor belt sushi restaurant that is solid on most items. They also get bonus points for having tojiru in the winter, which is a hearty miso-style soup that has pork and vegetables in it. It can get a little crowded at lunch time, but the reasonable prices and good quality make up for it!
(4)D M.
really good! I love their tempura sushi and the dumplings
(5)Greg M.
Wow, I can't believe I have not written a review for this place yet. This is my favorite place in the Chicagoland area to buy sushi. In my opinion, everything about this place is desirable: price, ambiance, and the beer. For a sushi restaurant I manage to rack up a bill anywhere between 20 - 30 bucks, which isn't bad. Considering many other restaurants within Chicago that serve sushi can easily be more expensive for an amount comparable to what I consume here. To anyone willing to make the trek out to this place, I definitely deem it worthwhile.
(5)Tony C.
you know what... so the fish isn't the best. so it's a fast food joint. In the spirit of Bourdain, this is a GREAT fast food joint. Every restaurant in America should strive to serve something that's actually from a kitchen/cook, and not from a frozen vac sealed bag. This place, much like the banh mi carts in Saigon, demonstrates food fast can be good for you and can be tasty. plus, chics DIG the conveyor belt. i don't know what it is...
(4)Nikki G.
food was ok..nothing much to say about. Agreed with cindy that rolls suck but nigiri is pretty good. Service is just ok...at least they didn't try to rush me out during busy hours.
(3)Chad D.
A great, inexpensive sushi bar. If you're looking for a quick way to satisfy a craving without breaking the bank, this is the place to do it. There's a wide variety of choices, and you can spend exactly how much you want to spend. Highly recommended!
(5)Michelle B.
The sushi is fresh and you have a great assortment to choose from. It has a different atmosphere from other sushi restaurants as you are sitting at a long sushi bar with a moving conveyor belt. If you're looking to sit, sip some Japanese beer or hot tea, and hang out - Sushi Station is not the place. I guess I can call it a "fast food" version of a sushi restaurant. People are lined out the door sometimes at lunch time, so they try to keep things moving. But don't get me wrong - some of my favorite rolls can be found at Sushi Station. Their Bos-Station Roll (tuna, cucumber, avocado), Fire-Station roll (crab salad, spicy sauce, sesame seeds), and San Diego roll (salmon, spicy mayo, tempura crumbs) are some of my favorites. I also LOVE the Caribbean Roll and you can't find that anywhere else. Also, I love their super white tuna nigiri which is $3.25 for 2 pieces, but if you order sashimi style they give you 4 pieces for $3.25 and instead of rice they give you a ton of cucumber. Pretty good! The crab is real crab meat (we saw them breaking up apart the crab legs one day) unless otherwise specified (imitation crab meat). They have the best Spider Roll from all the places I've had them. And if you don't find anything on the conveyor belt you can always order something from the menu. Prices are per plate and range from $1.25 per plate up to $6.25 per plate. Some people complain that prices have gone up a quarter, but I don't mind it. The staff is nice and they always greet you with hello or goodbye (in Japanese) when you are coming or going. It gets very crowded during lunch and on Saturdays but it's worth the wait. They just opened up another restaurant in Elgin but have not tried that one. If you are a party of 2 they'll sit you at the bar, if you are 3 or more they have side tables that are connected to the bar area. I think its definitely worth a try.
(4)Lissette M.
The first time i ever came here i fell in love...but after that and the whole publicity they got the sushi hasnt been that great... the california rolls taste real weird as though the cucumbers where sitting out too late...but there are some awesome and unique rolls.
(3)Gina G.
I love sushi...sometimes I need sushi on the run. Sushi Station is my spot to drop by. Tucked in a tiny strip mall. Serve yourself. Food is ready to eat and stays fresh in the refrigerated conveyor belt inside a glass tube. Great spot for kids and non-sushi lovers. There is a wide variety available for all taste buds. Caution: Staff is all about turning the tables, getting you in and out ASAP. Smiles available upon request. New location open in Elgin. Prices went up .25 per plate. (One lil complaint, Get rid of the runny packaged wasabi. It reminds me of bad toothpaste coming out of the tube!)
(3)Richard O.
My favorite thing about coming here is for the sushi moving through all the tubes in the resturant. Very cool concept to pick your sushi as it passes in front of you. I can sit down and start eating right away what a concept. I really enjoy coming here at any time. It gets busy at times the food is very good here. The also have good service with good sake and deserts.
(3)Ginger D.
The first time I went to Sushi Station was almost two years ago. At the time, I had never been to a sushi place like it. You sit down and the food is right there in front of your eyes moving past you on a conveyor belt and you get to chose what you want. The first time I went, we had a party of 6, so there was a variety of food to choose from on the table. I left stuffed, nearly unable to walk, but happy. Since then I have told everyone I know about Sushi Station because of a few reason. Firstly, the fish is really fresh. I don't know where they get their fish and how they can sell it for such an affordable price, but it's extremely fresh. And secondly, I have already mentioned, that it is pretty affordable. The Uni is $6 for 2 pieces, where at a lot of other Japanese restaurants it is $5 or $6 just for one piece. This reigns true for all of the other nigiri and rolls. My favorite here is the shark fin and jelly fish piece. No other restaurant that I've been to has had this and it is the reason why I keep going back. The plates are color coded, each plate being a different price ranging from $1.25 to $6.25, and yes they did raise their prices recently, but by $.25! Rice has gone up in cost, and it is natural for a restaurant to raise prices from time to time. It's still a good bargain. The downsides are that they don't have a lot of hot foods. If you don't eat raw pieces or rolls, you only have some appetizers to choose from. Also if you go during peak lunch and dinner times, you will have to wait. It's crowded and loud and at times, you feel a little rushed by the staff to leave. However, if you can ignore that, you will have a great time here. Or try ordering take out. They give you a pretty platter of your order and it's just as good when you take it home. They also recently opened a new, bigger location in Elgin that should be worth a try. Keep up the good work!
(4)Linda C.
I ventured here for dinner since a friend recommended it. The highlight of my evening was the sushi coming down the conveyor belt. I didn't understand why this place was so packed as they served mediocre sushi. I probably would have been more satisfied eating at Mitsuwa Market. We had a variety of sushi from the conveyor belt and also ordered a few rolls and some noodles off the regular menu. Too bad that I can't remember anything worth mentioning. My quest for a good sushi place goes on!
(2)Cyndi K.
This is a very casual, fun place for sushi. As said in other reviews, there is a U shaped counter that you sit at and the sushi is on a covered, refrigerated conveyor belt that just keeps coming around and around. It is constantly being replenished, so if you just missed the one item you wanted, just wait, and it will probably be on the next go-around. There is also a menu that you can order from, it explains what each item is; certain specialty items that generally aren't on the conveyor belt can be ordered from the menu. The different color plates that the sushi is served on indicates how much the item is. The hot green tea is delicious and a perfect accompaniment to the sushi. My favorites are the Godzilla rolls and the San Diego rolls. My daughter and I have eaten here many times, mostly for lunch, and we have never had to wait. When you leave, all the staff yell "thank you" as you leave. It's really a fun and tasty experience.
(4)Jazz V.
It doesn't take a lot to entertain me, which is why I love coming to Sushi Station. I find a lot of entertainment watching the conveyor belt as it goes past. Some rolls are pretty to look at, like the caterpillar roll or the dream roll. Some I like watching because of its "fear factor" factor (jellyfish anyone?). The taste and quality itself of the rolls is just okay. Taste-wise, I like the hanako roll, spider roll, tamago, and scallops the best. After a while, though, everything begins to taste the same, which is when I start reaching for the cheaper plates if I'm still hungry. The wait staff are always quick and attentive as well. Lastly, $1 green tea ice cream to finish off your meal! One of my favorite places to come when I'm in the Schaumburg area!
(4)Little Miss L.
cheap, fast and fun. yes...it's fun. we were full off of $30 worth of sushi. good variety, too. not the worlds best sushi, but surely tasty and fresh. lots of choices and again, a really good deal. can't wait to go back for din.
(4)Bella D.
My cousin recommended this place for take out and dine in. Comparable to sushi joints in SF. I heart Sushi Station. Cool sushi belt of food. Fresh and great. Try the Magma Roll, Masago, Phoenix Roll, and the other rolls and Nigiri are great!! Nice Staff!!
(4)Beth H.
I go to this place at least once a week, and while the sushi is usually ok, it is the staff that I have issue with. They want you in, and they want you out. While there are a couple pleasant "servers," one in particular is crazy rude. (I won't display her name, you'll know if you get her, trust me.) Overall, you do not feel welcomed in a sincere way at all, and if you have a request for anything special don't expect it. If it weren't for the price, and speed of eating here (unless there is a wait and that can be a LONG time!) I would not go here simply because of the staff.
(3)Tony D.
Wanted to try a different sushi place. Heard about this place through a friend a few months back. So a friend and I decided to give it a try. it's not half bad. We went there on a saturday afternoon just in time for the lunch rush. The wait was a little long, about 20 - 30 mins, but we didnt mind. After we sat down we perused the selection of sushi that was passing us by on the conveyor belt. I was hoping they would have had a lunch special but none was found. The prices varied by plate. I believe prices were about $1.25 - $6.50 per plate. Sushi was about avg, I couldn't get the names of some of the rolls cause we missed what they were called on the name platter. I did have the Cali roll, eel, sandiego roll and several others. Price for me w/drink and tip was $20, my buddy spent about $30. I was not too happy about being cramped up at the sushi bar and felt rushed through my meal. I might return but at a less busier time.
(3)Jennifer G.
I just do not understand all of the rave reviews. I found the sushi to be warm, far too warm for sushi, the prices were a bit high and everything was just blah. Sure, the conveyor belt thing is cool but that does not excuse the warm yucky rolls.
(2)Steven L.
Sushi was acceptable but I still feel it is rather pricey for what you get. The place is always packed and other than the novelty factor, it is a pain to get what you want if you come as a group. The people standing near the conveyor must grab for everyone.
(3)Philip C.
Great sushi for the price. A lot of variety of sushi. Nice setting and polite service.
(5)Leigh K.
Oops! Thought I had reviewed this one! Love that I randomly found it while lost looking for IKEA a couple years back. Finally found my way back here again tonight (after getting lost in the burbs again). Lovely waitstaff and very helpful. I got three veggie rolls: the cucumber roll, the vegetable roll (cucumber, carrot, avocado?), and the fiesta roll which is jalapeno, avocado, cucumber, tomato, and cilantro. I love places that have good options for veggies. The dessert with the two kinds of mochi balls; plain in a sweet soy glaze and green tea mochi with red bean paste on top. The plain ones are weird but good, but the green tea ones didn't please my palate. Otherwise, great job! I will be back (and hopefully won't get lost again).
(4)kinke s.
this is the place has so much fun for sushi eats, where you can find all you favorite sushi in many different color little plates on a turning belt, this belt actually carries all the fresh made sushi go around the tables & room right in front your eyes, you can pick up anything you may like & wanna try from the belt. The empty spot will soon be refilled with other new items when it moves back to front of you next time. it's like eat on a endless sushi feast, you have tons sushi / side salads / sweet treats / little cakes to chose from...of course you can also order from their menu too, food will bring to your table in a short wait period. after you finish eating, the wait staff will come to your table to count the colorful plates paled in front of you, which you pick out on the moving belt earlier & already been emptied by your mouth , each color has its own price, same color will count as same price, they will give you a total at end, all you have to do is pay it at cashier on your way out!
(4)Nick W.
Sushi Station is my favorite restaurant in the Burbs, it is a great place for friend's and family and can be a fun way to introduce those who may not be familiar with sushi to some great dishes. I don't think there's anything more that hasnt been said in other reviews, try it for yourself you won't be disapointed.
(4)Valerie G.
I eat Sushi Staion with my BF all the time. We rarely eat-in. We've noticed that if you eat out they'll make your sushi fresh. Also, when you eat in they like to rush you out which is quite annoying. If they had better customer service and fresher fish I might have given this place 5 stars.
(4)Anna M.
I love this place. The endless little plates of sushi going round and round on the conveyor belt, the magma roll (spicy and delicious!) and the japanese cheesecake (you'll ask for seconds) are the highlights I have from Sushi Station. We usually pig out there but last time, we were stuffed and our tab wasn't as high. Plates are color-coded so you have a good idea of how much it'll be. The toy machines up front are cute too, you can get Hello Kitty mobile phone chain for $1. I'm glad they've opened up another location.
(5)Patty V.
Not bad sushi, not great sushi,either. Nice when you are in the mood to pick a few different things and graze,smaller portions than full sized rolls and LOTS to choose from. If you want to try something new, no big deal if you aren't crazy about it,it won't cost much. Just pick another plate as it swings your way. I do feel kinda like a pig here, with all my plates stacked up, but what the hell, enjoy!!
(3)Milie S.
I really like the design of this restaurant. They have a conveyor belt which rotates the sushi around the u-shaped counter. If you see something you like then just open the little door and grab it. Maybe I got there too late in the day, but the fish wasn't that great and the maki's with tempura crunches just didn't... crunch? Overall a decent place to go when you're craving sushi but you can't wait.
(3)Sady C.
came here on a friday food adventure night with the munchies ready to max out! the wait was about 15min tops and holy jesus so much food going around in circles. had shrimp tempura rolls, shiggy roll(fried calamari), fried shumai(eh), dumplings(bearable), fried mini chicken(blegh), mixed tempura- had to ask the servers to throw them back in the deep fryer cause my sweet potatoes were wayyy undercooked :( they shouldve said yes and brought me a new one. instead my friend and i found ourselves dealing with 2 asian ladies who couldnt speak any engrish and had difficulty understanding the difference between over cooked and undercooked and just plain cooked! being asian i knew how to tackle on the problem. i visually showed her what the deal was and she said a big ohhh and brought me back the best tempura a customer with munchies could ever have. lastly had a tiramisu which was icecream like and it actually tasted prettttyyyy good! overall it was a goodnight to escape the city to go to the burbs for a relaxing night of decent sushi! (i left satisfied)
(3)Demetrio P.
Good place for sushi! Went with a couple friends, wait was a little long as this place gets busy, but once we sat and ate everything turned out good. Prices are reasonable, and conveyor belt delivery system was amusing.
(4)Jimmy F.
It's comforting to know that the minute you sit down, you can start eating. This place uses a mini baggage claim conveyor belt system to circulate the more popular sushi. If you see something on the menu that they don't have on the conveyor, you can always request it. I recommend this place for the novice sushi eater since the portions and price are fairly decent. We usually average a bill around 10-15 bucks per person.
(4)Aleksandra H.
I LOVE sushi and i LOVE Sushi Station!!! I can hardly wait to get there and the minute I sit down I start grabbing all the plates I can as they go by on the conveyor belt....it's hard to control myself when I see all the goodies go by right within my reach (check out my pictures for some of them:P) Their staff is always very nice and attentive with my green tea and water refills. I've been there on several occasions when it was really busy and we still got great service. The different color plates tell you how much each portion costs and they vary from about $2-$5 each; it's not bad value for the great tasting sushi, but the trick is to stop grabbing the plates before you've collected 20 of them....
(5)Soo S.
Such a cute place for sushi! The portions are really decent and for the price the quality is not all to bad! Great to hit that sushi craving when on a budget. The ambiance is so hip and retro I LOVE IT!!!
(5)erin g.
my favorite sushi restaurant in the burbs... fresh, fast (obviously), friendly, and best of all, cheap! i come here all the time and i've never had a bad experience. the lunch specials are unbeatable, especially the godzilla roll... SO. GOOD. check this place out! it's worth it for the novelty alone.
(5)Laura L.
I was extremely excited to experience this well raved about "Sushi Station". However, my experience was far from wonderful. First off the whole theme of the place is quite amusing, but their selection really is for people who have no experience with Sushi. There rolls are very different and they don't have many ordinary choices. The things they put in Sushi do not belong in Sushi. Also, all the Sushi is warm. While you can get them from the menu, its not as fun and the staff is not as friendly about it. Everything was going ok, until our waitress starting hassling us to get out. This is not a place to sit and chat. This is truly fast food. Except however, last time I checked at McDonald's you can sit there as long as you want. Not here at Sushi Station. Between me and my two cousins we had spent a good amount of money, had not even been there an hour and were debating getting one more plate. Our waitress kept coming over and asking us if we were done, we would tell her no and she would roll her eyes and give us cold looks. It was quite uncomfortable. I finally decided to take one more dish and I was in the midst of eating it when she came by yet again for a second time and asked us if we were ready to leave. We said no. She then proceeded to come by again about 10 minutes later and tell us that other people were waiting and we HAD to leave. Mind you again, it had not even been an hour and we waited 20 minutes for our table. Furious we went up to the counter to pay and they were so rude to us up there as well. This was the only time in my entire life that I have not left a tip. As soon as they realized that there was no tip left they started talking about us in Japanese and looking me and one of my cousins up and down while we were waiting for my other cousin to pay. I couldn't believe they had the audacity to do this right in front of us! Over all it just was a bad experience and I am sorry we chose to go there.
(1)Wanda L.
Great little place where you can be as big of a risk-taker as you like since each dish is just a couple of dollars. I've been here a few times, and its always been good, with a great selection. My only complaint is that some of the maki rolls are just too big. Its impossible to fit the entire roll in your mouth, chew it and breathe at the same time. But they are damn tasty, so its worth the choking risk.
(4)H. S.
what's with all the good reviews? sushi conveyor belts are dumb, boats are way cooler. The sushi here was so bad. It is cheap though. I know when you pay 15 bucks for sushi, you shouldn't expect as much as when you pay 50 bucks, fine, but this was just terrible. Are midwestern suburbs so devoid of sushi that this is all there is? At least in california, there is way better cheap sushi than this. I suspect in chicago as well.
(1)Renato P.
My first sushi restaurant , and daddy still likie sushi. Prior to my trip to this place in 2005 , I had only eaten sushi at Chinese buffets (not even Todai yet), and the pre packaged boxes in grocery stores like Jewel and Meier. I felt it was time to jump into the sushi water. This place looks a little Blade Runner , with a little conveyor belt carrying different variety's of sushi. I went safe with tuna , salmon ,yellowtail, shrimp , and snapper sashimi , and tuna rolls. Everything was great , great enough for me to continue to eat sushi to this day. Sadly I only hit this place up once , for whatever reason (no one else in my family likes sushi for one). I also found an all you can eat place (Todai) , and a place closer to my house. I'm still a sushi rookie , but I'd like to come here again to see what I think now. This place has no ambiance short of a sci fi diner feel , this is a lunch place or a solo dinner place. ... Got back to here , this time with my mom and son in tow. My son has been spreading his gastronomical wings lately and sushi is one direction he veered. I tried a variety of different rolls this time and really liked the Mexican roll (white tuna,avocado, jalapenos, and cilantro), the spicy tuna roll, the shrimp nagiri, and the gyoza. The spicy salmon roll and the terriyaki chicken wasn't as good, but not bad , the fried chicken pieces were a little better than the terriyaki. Had the Snow and King crab , both were very good , the fatty white tuna was good , the belly salmon was good , a little better than the regular salmon. The egg sushi was rejected by 2 members of my lunch party , I knew better than to try it. ... I now feel I've had enough sushi to downgrade Sushi Station's food quality to 3 stars. Due to the sheer volume of "good" dishes , and the Blade Runner theme to the place , we'll leave it at 4 stars , just by a nose. My kid also likes this place , and any place that keeps fatty fried foods out of his gullet is ok by me. ... Perspective means everything. I have to say in hindsight , the spicy tuna rolls are near the bottom of the places I like , just above ok , barely in the pretty good spectrum. All the yellowfin stuff is good , their nigiri stuff is good. The Gyoza is almost deep fried , I way prefer it not so heavily fried , still good. I guess the selling point is getting to see everything , and that still applies.
(4)Diane Z.
I have been coming here about every week for the past year, delicious is what I have to say!! I was not much of a sushi fan before but since the conveyor belt style place allows you to try many things, it is great! Good food and great service.
(5)niki k.
Good casual place to enjoy sushi with friends, can feel kind of rushed as soon as your done eating though b/c they get pretty busy, but they are very inexpensive and its always fresh
(4)calvin n.
Been here twice love the set up of the little train it self always digged that and had fun opening and grabbing the food. The rolls were nice but some of them were poorly rolled it was either too much rice or fell apart. Fairly reasonable prices for each item. I really liked the strawberry and condensed milk though even though that is a incredibly simple dish, And anouther down fall of this place was that it was waaayyy to Americanized they should have kept some original stuff in it...
(3)Yhatzina L.
I tried Sushi station after hearing quite a buzz about this japan-style revolving array of fresh tasty sushi zooming right by you and you pick as you go. I can definately say it was worth the trip. I had a glass of cold sake, and with the small plates, it was quite an adventure trying out at least a dozen different types of sushi. All was amazingly delicious and the rolls were out of this world. The staff is enthusiastic and service-driven shouting thank you all around the board when each guest walks out which is so cute! They only thing that I didn't love was that some of the items revolving didn't have the lids as mandated by the health department, and provides refrigeration. The busboys could have been a bit less intrusive, but these little details didn't overall deter the happiness of our family trying out the sushi station and having quite a blast doing it ! It is also GREAT if you are on the go. You could literally get in and out in 15 mins which is great for commuters.
(4)Erin W.
This woud be a five star review except for the food quality, but I'll get to that.. Sushi Station is a great if you want to get a friend hooked on sushi! You don't get a full roll of anything (2-3 pieces per plate) so you can try a lot of different things. The price is phenomenal for sushi! I usually walk out of there with a $12-18 bill and am plenty full. The quality of the food isn't always great, but I always go back! Sometimes it is a bit warm but that is the sacrifice you pay for this type of experience.
(4)Chicago P.
If you were like me being very skeptical about Sushi as being rice with raw fish, would not risk spending a lot of money to find other wise try this place and you would defiantly change your opinion about this great cuisine. The place should be accepted as a start up for trying this cuisine and not to be considered for a great ambient evening with some wait times lots of noise and an average decor. The place has this conveyer belt on which food is rolling out, you can pick if you find something interesting or order from the menu, I was amazed at the popping flavors from the rolls as I was expecting some bland food being Japanese. I highly doubt the authenticity of the food could also hardly find much fish, shrimp in the rolls but as long as food tasted great I wasn't really worried especially after they being so inexpensive, this also bottles down to the question of can we really eat authentic ethnic food anymore? Either ways would recommend and revisit the place many more times to come.
(4)rob m.
there are really 2 parts to my review, the sushi quality and price rate 5 stars, the items on the convey er are extremely fresh and have never disappointed....the tempura on the menu is excellent and every time i have ordered carryout, it has been ready on time and correct...the service is extremely efficient as your drinks are refilled constantly and your tray tops cleared wihin seconds of removing.....i have eaten at sushi places all over the world and the quality of the salmon nigiri here is equal to any and i will argue it with any of you pseudo food snobs out there who always like to feel that however good someplace is, you have eaten at better...although this is one of very few places to offer fatty salmon (which is so buttery smooth, you won't believe it), there is almost no need to pay extra as the standard salmon is as good as it gets.....the rest is more of a rant so read on or ignore at your descretion, this place could really use a comprehensive business review, they close each day between 2 and 5 and stop refilling the tray far too early so if you are one of the many people who prefer a later relaxed/casual lunch, forget coming here as by 1:00, you will have minimal choices to browse and you will have to order each dish specifically before "last call" at 1:45, kind of defeating the purpose of kaiten sushi ...amazingly, the new location in elgin has the same policy despite being ENORMOUS and located between every retail store and restaurant chain on earth along randall road...i simply cannot believe that any business owner is willing to turn away such an incredible volume of customers....once while eating at the next door restaurant (an applebees or chilis i think) i must have watched 20 cars pull up within the one hour i ate, see that they were closed and drive away ..clearly since they were pulling in, they were not familiar with the hours which would tend to mean they were a potential first time customer which all businesses ache for and Sushi Station seems to feel they can live without....when you see the size of this place inside for the first time(and wasted $ space from a sales point of view)you will understand.....i honestly get concerned that no business can afford to shut down midday and maintain the overhead this space must entail...why should i care?.... because i LOVE THE FOOD and would like to see the restaurant succeed but succeeding at the elgin spot with the current policys will be a challenge only Hiro Nakamura could overcome.
(5)Joy D.
the last 3 reviews w/ only 1 and 2 stars really surprise me, considering this is the best sushi restaurant in the nw suburbs. the fish is always fresh (mainly because of the refrigerated conveyor belt), which is what really makes good sushi ... unlike the review stating sushi is all about the rice - rice? c'mon! also, as an asian having grown up in california and living in hawaii for 4 years, i'm confident in saying that sushi station can very much compete with sushi restaurants in those states.
(5)Don R.
Not bad. Came here for lunch yesterday with some of my coworkers. Ran into the lunch crowd so there was a nice wait. However, everything tasted well. Nice revolving table with continuous sushi. They had a nice selection to choose from. The only sushi I really wanted but was hard to get was salt water eel. However, I was able to order it with my waitress and they brought it to me. As anticipated, it tasted excellent. This place has warranted a return whenever I'm in the mood for sushi. However, I gotta pick my time better to beat the lunch crowd.
(4)J.C. And Jenn M.
We've been coming here for over 8 years for their awesomely-priced signature rolls and sushi. The Station Rangoon is superb, their golden shrimp and pot stickers are great, and they always make new rolls for each season! Staff is tremendously friendly, and the restaurant itself is spotless. There's always a long wait on Fridays at dinnertime, so be sure to go RIGHT when they open, or later on in the night.. Some of our favorites are the Station Roll, Wildfire Roll, Snow White Crab, and the Hanako Roll. This place is a MUST TRY if you're in the Woodfield area, just make sure they're open, since they close at 2pm, and reopen at 5pm. Will definitely be back here very soon!
(5)Andrea P.
All the food taste old. I only liked the udon. But it is inexpensive. I paid only half of what was expected. Even though there are some good things everything else is bad. There is no space. I feel cramped up in a small space. You can't move your chair back without hitting anyone. First off I'll talk about the food. All of it is cheap. You can taste it in the food. Never have the cooked egg. It might taste good then but you will regret it later. My child threw up. Secondly, there is no space. Not only is it tight, the place is so busy. Some days you would try to go in but can't even make it through the doorway. Why would you want to go there when there are so many more wonderful places nearby. I really enjoy sushi but this is just a disappointment. Lastly, they have the worst service. My brother a had a very important business call so he went out. All my nieces and nephews were here and we had to separate we were okay until the manager and this tall girl with a black shirt and glasses came over and full yell and us. She said we have to wait for my brother. But the problem of waiting is the kids and I have to be separated. We had to even talk to the manager. Instead of talking it out, she put her hand in front of my face. In conclusion, never ever come here. None of it is worth it.
(1)Dinah T.
I still love this place, the fish taste fresh and the staff is friendly and quick. I like that I don't have to ask for a refill cause they know yo! I'm in a salmon kick lately and this place is all I know that sell fatty salmon nigiri. It melts in your mouth taste like butter! And I like their hot n spicy scallops nigiri, yum! I also like their take out. They are polite and quick! I had to contain myself from eating my order in the car....I'm almost home hang in there gurl, lol! I'll be back!
(5)Eric M.
One of the best sushi in the area! Many different variety, making it very fresh, most of the time right in front of you. And they came in little serving size you can see and take it out of the little track. It is very cool. Only down side is it is almost always full during lunch and dinner time so you have to come early and wait in line. But yes, give this place a try if you like sushi!!!!
(5)Renaud S.
Good place to eat sushis, the conveyor system is super cool and makes you taste everything you want. Ingredients are fresh and tasty, which is a great plus. However I did not liked at all having spicy mayonnaise on several meals. Finally staff is nice. I recommend it for a funny friendly and quick sushi meal. Lots of queue and waiting if you don't come at opening time.
(3)Real D.
Sushi Station is our go to sushi place now. It's consistent. The size of the rolls are good. Rolls are tight. The ratio to rice and sushi is excellent. The rice is not overly vinegar-ed. The staff are super, super friendly, attentive and accommodating. I consider them a good neighborhood sushi joint. Quality of fish is good.
(4)Alison G.
We were here tonight around 6:45, no reservation and got a table just cleared for three of us, so lucky cause there were many people waiting for a spot. And there are many more people coming in throughout our dinner. My friend gets so excited seeing conveyor belt sushi bar because there aren't many in the suburbs. There are various types of sushis and rolls to choose from and also non sushi type such as soft shell shrimp, tempura, seaweed salad etc. They also have soup, dessert on the menu which you can order from the kitchen. Service was better than i expected. The server is very friendly and come to refill more tea without me asking, and when we asked for more wasabi she got us more right away, which was nice! And they keep saying thank you thank you many many times!! One problem is that I think the belt (or the frozen showcase?) is not "frozen" enough so that i felt the sushi or roll or any raw fish there are sort of warm, I prefer cold. They better fix it to keep the fishes cold. Warm is not nice. The other bad was their sushi rice doesn't stick so basically everything falls off, it means so much rice leaves in the soy sauce plate when you are dipping it. We paid about $26 each person, it's not expensive unless you eat a lot. Overall it's not that bad, its fun if you enjoy the conveyor belt. But if you are looking for high quality sushi you are at the wrong place.
(3)Linyun Q.
Utterly disappointed! As someone who enjoy real good sushi.. This is the most Americanized Japanese sushi joint I have ever been too. They have Oreo as a sushi dish here, not kidding! I am sure for those folks who has never been to a real sushi place, this place can be a treat. Like some of you who love Panda Express and call it good chinese food. If you love it, that's fine, I am not judging. But for those who hopes for real sushi experience, stay far far away! This place is a disgrace for sushi. I imaging a Japanese sushi master would have killed himself for pride here. That being said, the place has clean environment and friendly staff. I can't bad mouth them. They are good. Besides, northwest chicks would dig this place. So good luck.
(3)Mallory S.
Honestly I'm over this place. Everything just tastes the same now. I've realized that the quality really represents the price. I feel like I only like it because of the spicy mayo sauce to drown out the bad fish flavor. Also, when busy the chefs seem to roll the maki veryyy poorly. It just resembles a rice pile on a plate. Finally, they always rush you and try to get you to leave as quick as they can. They are very impatient with their paying customers. Like sometimes I wanna sit and enjoy my company, not put my head down and eat as fast as I can. Not to mention you can't even be seated until everyone in your party is there which is so annoying--even when it's empty. I will still continue to come here but I'm just over it.
(3)Mark D.
Decent moderately priced sushi. Wide variety. They move past you on a conveyer belt. Different colored plates are different prices. At lunch or dinner time you will probably have a wait.
(4)Ed S.
I wish I could give this place 6 stars, it was that good. My wife told me about this place and I went there for the first time today and I was blown away with how good the sushi was. The sushi is on a conveyor belt and you grab whatever rolls you'd like, then pay at the end. We were in and out of there in about twenty minutes. Huge selection of different sushi rolls too.
(5)Katie F.
Not sure what happened to pleasing the customer. I would give them negative starts for their customer service. We have been taking our 4 year old to the Elgin location for the past 2 years. He loves it and we have it where he sits between us so he can pick what he wants and watch the belt. We walked in here NOT during peak hours (around 4pm) and they REFUSED to sit us anywhere but a table. I feel like a party of 3 is that flexible number vs one that would need to be seated at a table or the bar. I understand the restaurant is small, but again it was not during peak hours so it was pretty dead in there. I asked the woman if she was kidding and was she really not going to let us sit at the bar (in the nearly empty restaurant), so said yes, so we turned around and drove to the Elgin location where the people could not have been nicer and we sat how we wanted.
(1)Daneih I.
I was searching for long time for convey belt sushi. When I saw the rating I was not sure is it worth it to drive from Chicago downtown to try this place or not. But when I came here I was surprise with the place. We went for Sunday lunch it was very busy and we wait about thirty minutes but it worth it. The decoration is nice, The waiters are friendly, the food is awesome and bathroom is clean. We love our experience with the convey belt and the kids enjoy it. We will come back again even the kids say that!
(5)Luke K.
Do you like eating sushi crowded next to as many people as possible with a service style that promotes turnover? Then you will like sushi station. Sushi station is not my favorite place to eat sushi, but I do like the conveyor system they have, you just grab as little or as much sushi as you want, so that way you're not served with large portions of you don't want them. Although, if you want to just relax a little bit and take a break from eating, the waiters will encourage you to either order more or to stand up and pay so they can seat more people.
(3)Sarah C.
I love this place!! The food is reasonably priced, especially at lunchtime on weekdays. You can choose what you want from the conveyor, and dishes are priced by plate color. If you don't see what you want, you can place an order. Be sure to get the (bottomless) hot tea, the spicy scallop nigiri, and the fatty salmon. Get there early, you will probably have to wait.
(5)C D.
Good sushi but....no serving liquor if you don't have an ID and your 60 years old? CRAZY. They don't get it
(4)SoSunnychicago S.
This is a small location, and not meant for big groups. They won't seat you until your party arrives, so don't be fussy. Most people are done in 40 mins or less, so waiting for your party is losing business for them! The sushi is on a conveyor belt, with portions less than 4 roll pieces or 2 pieces of sashimi. You can also order from their menu, including hot items like Station Shrimp. The plates are color-coded, and are counted at the end to determine your bill. ($1.25-6.50each), They have fountain drinks, also wines and beers available. They are closed during the afternoon, but have late hours in the summer. Check ahead of time.
(4)V P.
Went once at the request of a friend who had enjoyed the place. Service was terrible. Ordered tea and had one cup the entire hour or so we were there. Kept requesting more but it was never brought out. Sushi is low quality, I've found better at all you can eat places. My friend and I were catching up and slowly eating, not in a rush and we wanted to try multiple things. After about 30 minutes, once it became apparent to the staff we were staying longer, they seemed to try and rush us to leave. I had to say no, I am not done at least four times over food and over my empty tea cup. I will not be returning to this location. I had heard good things and I am certainly disappointed with my experience there.
(1)Jay I.
3.5 stars I thought it was a nice little inexpensive sushi joint. It seems to be quite popular at night so you may have to wait a little bit. The food that were in circulation were pretty good. Didn't have everything I wanted, but had a good selection for a sushi place. The freshness was not bad either considering some dishes are meant to stay afloat for a long time or may not even get picked up. Still since it is a sushi place and not an AYCE restaurant, your bill is not going to be light if you didn't count for what you eat. Well, still reasonable though.
(3)Mae B.
Went here with a girl friend.it was my first time. The sushi were okay. Cheap prices too. I only had 5 plates and I was full. I also had tonjiro soup. The service was ok, the waitress were like kind of trying to hurry us up because we were sitting in a table for 6 people even though theRe's really no one waiting. Overall, i enjoyed it. Will come back here again.
(4)Amy H.
I used to love coming here when I worked in Schaumburg. My co-worker and I would go here to get a quick sushi fix and for variety. It's a sushi bar, so there's a conveyor belt that rotates, and when you see something you like, you lift up the glass and pick up the plate. If what you want isn't on the conveyor belt, you can tell the waitress and she will order it for you. Each plate is colored and that will tell you the price of the each plate. For two people, my cost usually comes out to be $35. It's not bad at all. The place is small, so during peak hours, it is packed and you have to wait a long time. Also, because it's so small, they rush you when you're done eating. You cannot just sit there and chat, so keep that in mind.
(4)Ashley P.
Odd shut down hours.... When my husband & I tried to go one afternoon, they wouldn't seat us, the place was almost completely full, but they were taking a break and closing for a couple hours or something :( we were confused & we haven't tried to go back since :( Hoping to come back, but it's out of our way and we don't want to run into a similar problem again
(3)Joe Y.
Twenty minute wait while half the seats are empty because there is a 'rule' that parties of four can't sit at the sushi bar.
(1)Cathy H.
It's been over two years since last time I came to Sushi Station (not by choice) and I'm happy to say it's just as good as it was then, if not better. Since the set-up of the restaurant wasn't new to me anymore, I noticed a few things I never did before. First, I know a lot more about sushi than I did then and I noticed that there are a lot of non-traditional rolls on the conveyor, in addition to the old faves, which is nice for a change. Second, I really noticed that they take flavor and texture very seriously. I hardly dipped in soy at all and only used two pieces of ginger, for no real reason; didn't need them. The rolls have so much flavor on their own and they used lots of flavored tempura bits for texture. Usually a hot roll is just hot. Here there was a background of hot but there was still so much flavor to go along with that heat; I had 3-4 different hot rolls and they all tasted different. Third, I wasn't there long, maybe about 30 mins, and I noticed that while some of the same rolls were going around on the conveyor, the kitchen did a great job of adding new ones so that there were always new options. They're still doing a great job!
(5)Amanda U.
Just in this location and have been a customer for years. I ordered take out and when they finally found my order it was wrong. I had ordered two station rolls but the lady was arguing with me saying I ordered bostation and how she was a professional. (What does that even mean?!) Then she said I will do it this time (as if I would ever pay for food that I didn't order). The whole reason why they couldn't find my order is because it was under Linda and my name is Amanda. Clearly, not a "professional" if she cannot even get a simple name right. The fact that she argued with me is a sign of terrible customer service from the desk end. Mistakes happen and I wasn't upset over that I was upset over be fact she was basically calling me a liar.
(1)Raquel C.
This place is always a favorite of mine. The price for two people is quite amazing and the sushi is way better than you'd expect for what they charge at this place. If you are thinking about stopping here during lunch time expect to wait to be seated not that long of a wait though.
(5)Arash R.
Average sushi but the concept is interesting as you sit around a conveyor belt and sushi keeps running by you. Must try once
(3)Sameer R.
Not a lot of places out there that have such kind employees. The food is awesome. Best sushi in the burbs.
(4)Devonie M.
Love the concept and variety. Their crab salad is the best! Bostation and Fire Station rolls are my favorite. Not the highest end sushi but OK. Try to avoid going at peak times, and don't go less than 30 mins before closing... staff gets mean.
(4)Kimsy S.
I don't know why I bother. At this location, you are not treated as a customer. Just a number with money to get in-and-out pronto. When I am paying (plus tip) to dine, I prefer to take my time and relax. I don't camp at tables and stay for an unreasonable amount of time, but I do not rush. I get that this is a business with money to make, but I pay you money, too. Well, I did. No longer, especially for just passable sushi. For a far better dining experience, try Asian Tokyo a few doors down for their AYCE sushi and apps. Or try the Sushi Station in Elgin. Don't waste your time here (there wouldn't be much to waste, since they expect you to shovel down your food and get the hell out).
(2)Amy M.
We just love Sushi Station. My husband and I have different taste when it comes to sushi so being able to chose our own small plates is a great option. We love the variety of the sushi bar as well as the full menu. The staff is always extremely friendly, which makes the long waits worth while. We highly recommend the Spicy Station Rolls and the Spider Rolls.
(4)Tony K.
I went here on a Wednesday at around 8:30pm. I was starving! I didnt have anything to eat for most of the day. So as soon as I get in I have some ass-clown guy tell me that I have to pay my bill on or by 9pm because THATS when they close! I just looked at him for a few seconds while I decided to tell him off or to just shut up, sit down and eat something. If I wasnt soooooo hungry I would have told him and his staff to cram a spicy tuna roll up their ass! Alas I sat down and ate. The staff was constantly reminding me about the kitchen being closed! Its not 9 yet you SOBs! I can understand them wanting to go home BUT this is the HOSPITALITY industry! So show me some hospitality and let me F-ing relax and dont rush me! Youre supposed to let people eat and drink till they are content, treat your customers like they are paying for your livelihood and appreciate me being there spending my money! Not eat quickly then GTFO! Thankfully the sushi was very good. I quickly finished, then paid my bill. NO tip! You didnt deserve a dime from me. I'll think twice before going here again. They might have just lost a customer. You can go bite my unagi guys! But enjoy getting home in time! Too bad you dont have my tip money so you could go buy yourself a beer.
(2)Michele L.
I was interested in trying this place out because of the conveyer belt idea. I went to one in South Beach, Miami and it was amazing and super fun. I should have known a place like this in the suburbs of Chicago more than likely isn't going to have the freshest fish, everything be fried, and covered in spicy mayo. I really hope that there are better sushi options.
(2)Melissa M.
If you are looking for fancy high-quality sushi, this is not the place for it. This is for fun adventurous diners looking for a unique sushi experience. Sushi Station is the best kaiten sushi restaurant in the area. Sushi and other dishes are served on a conveyor belt which are fresh and tasty. This is our default spot for quick fresh sushi. Be warned though because the wait can be quite long. They do not take reservations.
(4)Amira C.
I've only been to sushi station a couple of times and I've already fell in love! I'll be coming to this location once or twice a week after school to get my sushi fix. The idea of a conveyor belt and picking our own sushi is one of the reasons it's so unique. The staff is very attentive and kind. The sushi here is very reasonable for the price. Especially for the lunch specials! You can't pass it up. The atmosphere is clean and bright. I would highly recommend this place! UPDATE: 12/11/14 I'm not sure if it was an off day or not, but one waitress at this location was absolutely horrendous. Unfortunately I could not get her name but she is an older asian woman with short hair. I asked her for a towelette and she proceeded to tell me to go to the bathroom. Excuse me? You're the server and I asked you for a favor. I regret giving her a tip!!!! SHE IS A TERRIBLE WAITRESS!!!
(2)Anna S.
I wish there was a non star option. This place is ridiculous. I used to go there at least once or twice a week but I am so over this place. Sushi is ok, but service is HORRIBLE! I took my dad there at 1.35, we were informed that the kitchen closes in 10 minutes and we need to order now. OK no problem. The lady came up to us at least 4 or five times asking if we were done. It was still 1.45. She came back again asking if we are going to order more. Can you say unprofessional? I felt like they were about to take our chairs away from underneath our butts just to make us leave. I would rather pay more but go to a place that actually appreciates their customers. Thank you Sushi Station for such a negative experience.
(1)Rawlins R.
Going to Sushi Station felt like I was back in Japan. Sushi Station is a fast paced Japanese style sushi restaurant. Most of the waitstaff is Japanese and will greet you in a traditional way. I don't believe they take reservations as this place is always busy. You will be given a number in the order you arrive and there are chair/bench areas around the outer edges of the restaurant. The focal point of the restaurant is the middle section that features the conveyor belt with moving sushi on it. After you are seated you can either order from the waitress or simply grab anything that looks good as it goes by. Items are priced according to the color plate that they are on. This is used as your tab when calculating your bill at the end. You get a nice warm toilette to clean your hands as you would in Japan. Everything we had was great. From the miso, to the gyoza, to the sushi. What a fun experience. If you want to feel like you are in Japan I strongly suggest coming here. We weren't sure if we needed to order from the waitress, just grab our food, when to ask for the bill, and where to pay. All of these things remind me of many of my experiences in Japan when I had no clue what was going on when dining out. Fortunately, everyone here speaks English so you won't feel completely lost. Simply ask a question if you have to.
(5)Dave M.
went here Friday for lunch with the guys. food was amazing and not badly priced. I highly recommend the Godzilla roll or Santiago roll. both really cheap and really good. the waitress was fantastic and the atmosphere is one of a kind. all the staff is very friendly as well.
(5)Jenny L.
Sushi Station isn't your ordinary 5 star fancy smancy sushi restaurant. It lacks quality, but I mean if you're looking for something quick, sushi station could be the place! The sushi is already made, so you just grab and eat. Btw I love the conveyer belt. If you love spicy, try the spicy scallop nirgri. IT IS DA BOMB. Sweet shrimp is fresh ALL the time. (Order the ones on the green plate). Get the regular 6 piece salmon roll (no spicy) because the salmon pieces they give you are huge!! Even though I like spicy, I'm not a fan of the spicy salmon roll though. It's weird... The fish is like mashed up with spicy mayo. Sharkfin jelly is soooo good too! (Not real Sharkfin of course). Other things to consider are Alaskan roll, spicy scallops hand roll, station roll, and the udon noodles! I don't normally get the sushi nirgri because it's usually frozen so no thanks. But I still love this place!
(4)Chris N.
We're from out of town and the two times we have been in the Chicago area we've stopped here. This place is quite simply awesome! I don't know why other places have not thrived from the conveyor belt sushi formula but it's the best thing since sliced bread... err, I mean sliced tuna. We found the food very fresh and the rice for the sushi tasty and well made. The selection was pretty good on the conveyor but you can custom order too. If you're going solo or in a party of two, you'll sit on bar stools facing the conveyor and the wait times seem to be a little less. If you have 3 or more (I wouldn't recommend anything past 5 people) you'll get a table instead. Both are good but bar stools are faster. If you're visiting Chicago, passing thru or live around here, you owe it to yourself to visit Sushi Station.
(5)Dayna S.
Love this place. Love the concept of picking out whatever plate comes around on the conveyor belt. However it is so easy to over indulge, so fast before you eat here unless you have great self control. I guess the only thing I don't care for is having to sit next to strangers but whatever, still worth the experience! Their fried jumbo shrimp is great! And it's been a while since I've been here but all the sushi I tried was yummy. Inexpensive too!
(4)Mia B.
If your looking for something quick and casual then this is a good place. Plates are colored and they go with a price list, so it makes it easy to know how much your spending. I didn't give 5 stars because most of the items I wanted were always out of stock and I had to wait a whole cycle for it to come around again, just for it to still be empty. If there is something you really want to have, just order it off the menu instead. The spider roll and Godzilla roll are highly recommended!
(4)Melissa C.
Love the concept if the moving sushi line! As far as I know, there are only a few in the area and this one is one of my faves. Lunch is the perfect time for this location. Although pretty popular, and therefore busy, they always have a weekday lunch special on their San Diego roll (3 pcs for $1.25) and their Godzilla roll (2 pcs for $1.25 but its the bigger makis). They're usually running at least one other special but it changes depending on the day. They have their standards here (Boston rolls, spider rolls, etc) but they've got some unique ones too. My fave is the Shrimp Harmony gunkan. It's a mixture of sweet shrimp, corn, cream cheese and masago on top of nigiri rice and wrapped with seaweed. If you've got some sushi-weary friends, this is a great alternative to starting them with California rolls!
(4)Laila N.
This place is ok. The idea is great but the choices are not plentiful enough. I did not think the shrimp tasted fresh. But I still come here when I crave sushi, however I know I'm settling.
(3)Jeffrey M.
The sushi is good but the service is terrible. They are rude and unresponsive. They have all kinds of stupid rules and policies like that only parties of 4 can sit at the bar together. Just say yes and never forget the customer is always right jerks
(1)Shima C.
I like to come here when I'm in the mood for quick cheap mediocre sushi. Don't expect high quality sushi from this place - especially the rolls. I've had multiple occasions where I grabbed a plate of spicy tuna roll with spicy mayo on top to find just rice under that mayo. No Tuna :( This place is more of a fun gimmicky place to take sushi newbies to see the revolving sushi conveyor belts.
(3)Tina H.
Food is good. People that work there are rude and treat their customers like cattle. This was my first date with my husband and our last at the Rolling Meadows location. The staff is down right rude and even confrontational! I RECOMMEND ELGIN LOCATION ONLY!!!! We drive 50 miles for a much better experience!
(2)Beverly H.
This has the best sushi I have ever eaten in my life! I love the Kieten and I miss it so much. I moved to Florida 3 years ago and we have nothing like Sushi Station here. The spicy tuna is a must have. It's literally so delicious my mouth is salivating just thinking about it! Go here, Go here, Go Here! I used to go here for my birthday dinners as well that's how much I think of Sushi Station.
(5)Kat L.
Moving to Hoffman Estates has made me a regular here during lunch time. I love that they have $1.25 plates during lunch hours on weekdays. Be warned, Fridays are the busiest and you might have to come early/wait in line outside until opening. They are also nit-picky at refilling the belt closer to the end of lunch hour, and will make you pay full-priced for a complete roll that would have otherwise been a $1 special if it's close to lunch-closing-time. Otherwise, the rolls are consistently decent. Not the freshest in all the land, but never bad. Easy to come here alone for a quick bite as well.
(4)Jennifer L.
Sushi Station is our go-to place when we want good, reasonably priced sushi. They have some inventive rolls, as well as some traditional favorites, and the best part is, they come around to you on a conveyor belt! You can pull what you want from the conveyor belt or order things off the menu. When two of us go, we usually end up spending around $30-$35, which isn't bad since we typically eat until we're uncomfortably full. It can get really busy around dinnertime, especially on weekends, so go early. Do not go late! We once made the mistake of coming in an hour before close, which is not a problem for most other restaurants, but Sushi Station is not like most other places. They have no problem rushing people out of there if they need a table or if they're closing. They do give you plenty of advance notice, but it's still a really uncomfortable experience.
(4)Keith T.
Good place, sushi were kind of white washed. Overal was great, but you always have to wait in a long line.
(4)Y. K.
Beware: This place gets packed out. Never seen a line outside of a sushi joint before. It seems that since the sushi conveyor belt system takes up so much space, seating/tables are limited. Above average sushi with a great service staff. But come during off hours or else!
(4)Ryan W.
Conveyor belt sushi is always a plus! When we're up and out in the NW burbs of Chicago we usually stop for lunch. The small plates are cheap and good to get a couple different types. They are pretty militant with their signage and with letting you know when they are closing the kitchen and restaurant. We come in at 1:25 and were told about 10 times that the kitchen closed at 1:45 and the restaurants closed at 2. It was so much that it was a little off putting. And a couple of times it delayed us ordering food. Good food and fun place but just don't go close to closing.
(3)Jordan R.
Wow, what a perfect place for a quick dinner when you're near O'Hare. Good sushi places are rare, and I'd definitely put sushi station at the top of my list. We were seated once we entered and got experience the fun and trendy dining style of conveyor belt sushi! We ordered some spicy edamame, which we promptly devoured since it was amazing. Then we got a couple of sushi rolls, the Phoenix, the Fiesta, spicy sesame, and spicy crab. Everything was amazing and I just wanted to keep taking more from the conveyor. The edamame Shumai is also amazing! It's crispy and filled with edamame beans and it's definitely my favorite plate there. We ordered vanilla mochi to finish off our meal and it was just as magnificent as all of the other foods we've ordered there. The service was great, our waitress was attentive, friendly, and gave us her best recommendations since it was our first time. The prices were super cheap, each plate of sushi was 2.25 or 3.25 based on the color of the plate it was on and we made out with about 10 plates for $33 including the other things we ordered. This is definitely a diamond in the rough so I'd give it a shot and you won't be disappointed. We barely tried 1/6 of the food there, so we will be returning sometime soon because there is so much more to enjoy. Overall one of the best sushi places I've ever been to and it deserves the five stars!
(5)Angel L.
The Sushi here was ok. The Udon noodles were great but for the selection not worth the price. If you've never had Sushi or want an Americanized version of Sushi this is the place to go. The conveyor belt is pretty cool but it does not make up for the lack of selections. Many different versions of a California roll. Real skimpy on the 1 or 2 dishes that come with Masago. I want to like this place but I just can't. Everything is just so Americanized. Its like going to a Taco joint and everything is smothered in American cheese and ketchup.
(2)Dale L.
I stopped by here for take out. The food was ready quickly, prices were reasonable and it was pretty good. I will be back to eat at the restaurant instead of just taking out.
(4)Julie R.
For what it is... this place is awesome. Once you're seated, you can have food in your mouth in 0.1 seconds... as fast as you can grab it off the conveyor belt flying past you! Some people complain that these people are rude.... force you out of your seat too fast.... are too efficient. I say, "yeah, get those people the heck outta those seats so I can feast my face." Sushi Station is 100% about business, bargain food, and quick turn around... I can't imagine anything more American... and goddammit, I'm an American! PS. The ice tea is delish.
(5)Azhar S.
Definitely a very good and affordable sushi place. A good place to get your favorite kinds of sushi without breaking the bank. The kaiten sushi approach is a very good idea especially for those people who do not want to wait for their sushi. Traditional sushi places are also very good, but sometimes it can take forever to get your rolls. This place does not have the top sushi place, but it doesn't taste bad at all for the price you pay for. I particularly love the spicy mayo with all the types of sushi. All the prices of the sushi are on color coated plates which definitely helps you gauge your costs for the dinner and there are no surprises are on your bill. The staff are always very helpful when it comes to knowing your selections and are always close by when you need them. I have been coming here for years and it never dissapoints. I have never really tried the desserts other than the chocolate covered marshmallows and the strawberries and creme which are pretty good. Other than that there is nothing else wrong with this place. The place is always clean as well.
(5)Shirley F.
Found this place around the mistuwa and Woodfield area and it's one of the restaurant around Chicago that has the freshest fish. By fresh I mean you can actually taste the natural sweetness of the fish. Uni always taste good and the fun part about it is the sushi is on a conveyer belt so you get to pick what you like by looking at what's coming by you. Prices are by the color of the plates because every plate has different prices. Some people may think it's pricey but I think it's really worth your money considering the quality of the fish. There are other things you can order besides sushi and so many appetizers to pick from. This is a must go if you're around the Schaumburg area. Always a good experience here.
(5)Megan S.
This is great for a quick sushi fix but not the best quality. I do like that you can try a lot of different rolls for a reasonable amount of money. It's always packed and they try to push you out so the next customers can get in. Not a good place for a date.
(2)He K.
Not the prettiest sushi place on earth, but the sushi itself is very good. We like it alot and keep coming back :)
(4)Alex R.
Absolutely love this place, my wife and I come here just about every other week. It's conveyor belt style and the fish is fresh. Plates are color coded so you know exactly how much everything costs. Servers are attentive. Highly recommend this place for casual sushi dining!
(5)George P.
The sushi at the Station is fresh, clean and delicious. Sushi comes down a conveyor belt and you select what appeals to you the most. Best sushi I have ever eaten! Go Sushi Station and please expand a bit.
(5)Andrew G.
Mediocre sushi that doesn't even come remotely close to making up for the obtusely ridiculous seating and billon policies currently being enforced by this undersized, overbearing establishment. After multiple visits, hoping the situation would improve, it appears that Sushi Station is contented with simply adequate service, subpar cuisine and management that leaves significantly more than just a bit to be desired. There's plenty of great places for sushi in the area, this is not one of them.
(2)Matt D.
Got take out. California rolls and spicy tuna rolls were amazing. Reasonable price too.
(5)Joan K.
Wouldn't recommend this place to big parties because the place is a bit small & the seats aren't really set up for big parties. Other than that I love the concept of having the sushi set up in a conveyor belt type of thing & you get to pick out what you want to try out. Each plate typically comes in 2-4 pieces which is great because it allows you to be able to try different type of makis. Service was amazing despite it being busy when we got there. Originally came here just for the experience of the sushi being presented like that but was surprised by how amazing the sushi actually was! I think the pricing of it is fair. Spent probably about $35 (tip included) for two which isn't too bad since we both left the place being super full & satisfied. Overall I definitely recommend trying this place out!
(5)Kylee L.
Great place for some quick sushi. My husband and I order their take out often. Everything tastes fresh and never has a fishy smell. I haven't had much luck with the side dishes- the edamame was cold. My biggest negative is that they don't have more tempura sushi! Nothing better than some tempura battered sushi. Mmm. I would definitely recommend this to someone looking for quick fresh sushi in the suburbs. Great price too- about $10 to $15 per person to eat!!!
(4)Edward M.
This place used to be more appealing to me, not sure why it's less persay. Maybe the variety has come down a bit, or cuz I have gotten to experience more high end sushi. It's not bad by any means, except a roll I'll talk about later, but it's not great either. Service: It's decent, they check back time to time, though I think it's more cuz they want you to leave so they can make room for other guests, but they are never rude about it and very easy going if you are taking your time, they just check back a lot asking if you want something else hint hint. They were also very nice and split the check for us :) Food: The food is pretty decent, the costs are based on the color plate, and though it seems cheap, it adds up quickly. I spent about 20 dollars trying about 5 dishes. So not horrible, it breaks down to about a dollar a piece ish. Grab a menu when you go in, it shows you all the stuff, not just the stuff on the belt. You can ask for anything on the menu. I ordered a station shrimp, I expected it to be like golden shrimp of kampai. well it's not.... It's pretty good but a totally different flavor profile. The Cajun roll, I had to try it... was um, super smokey and just not good tasting, cajun and sushi do not go together... The Phoenix roll (spicy tuna, tempura, and masago) is good and so is the Shrimp Tempura roll (shrimp tempura, cucumber, masago, tempura, with unagi sauce). I also enjoyed the Hanako roll (cream cheese, tempura, imitation crab, and green onions with mayo and teriyaki.. ya i like my sushi fried and crunch to give it texture :) I wish they had soft shelled crab, that's like my uber favorite but what do you expect for this style of restaurant. It's all good :)
(3)Molly M.
Sushi station is not bad. The sushi isn't fresh because it's in a conveyor belt until someone takes it. But it's really cute. You walk in, the waiters and waitresses greet you and bring you to you seat right in front of the belt. Easy to reach and easy access. Prices are reasonable. It can go anywhere from $1.25 to $6.25 per plate. You get 2-4 pieces per plate and pay by plate which makes checking out very easy. They don't take away your plates from your table because when you're done, they add everything up so that makes the table kind of crowded when you're squished in between two people. Overall, i give this place three stars. Not the best, but not the worst either. But i do recommend this place. It's cute and great for once in a while.
(3)Denise H.
This is very fun place for sushi. The fish is really good. Just be prepared to wait for a table when it is really busy,
(4)Yomaira N.
Sushi station is the only place I go to eat Sushi. My favorite roll is the spicy tuna roll. I also get the fried calamari. The wait on the weekends is lengthy but the food is worth it.
(5)Amanda Z.
I may never return to this place because of my terrible experience with their customer service. My table of 3 was completely neglected. Orders are placed by checking off items on a menu then handing it off to the waitress. Sounds simple enough, eh? The first round of orders came quickly and was quickly devoured. To my pleasant surprise, the presentation was very visually appealing and everything tasted soso.My only complaint was the slight warm temperature of the nigiri.
(2)Lia T.
I really love this place it is awesome if your starving and you want to literally eat the second you sit down... I frequent this place regularily around the same time of day and I decided to go around a different time... I showed up here at 3oclock only to find out they were closed! Sushi station has two operating hours during the day... I wish Google corrected the hours of operation for this place. My sushi craving has not been fulfilled :(
(4)John H.
Atmosphere is great.. However the sushi is sub-par. Nothing but low quality sushi dressed up with mayonnaise, teriyaki, and unagi-sauce.
(1)Louis R.
I've been to dirty jerz conveyor belt sushi spots before...this spot in the midwest is inexplicably better. Well... They have the belt covered with a plastic tube which has individual doors. So much more sanitary than the open belts in jerz. Jellyfish rolls. Sardine sushi. Fried shrimp which you can eat whole. But Mexicans making the sushi? Ugh 70% white patrons? Ugh Overall, it is dope.
(5)Amy B.
I love Sushi Station! First of all, this place isn't for sushi purists. The main reason I like it is because they have such a variety of rolls with ingredients that probably won't come in any maki in Japan. But that's what makes it fun. Getting to try a variety of rolls is the best part of this restaurant. Depending on what roll you get, you might not get a lot of fish. One of my favorite rolls is the Paradise Roll, which is tempura flakes, coconut flakes, avocado and shrimp tempura. The roll is giant, and the piece of shrimp is minuscule. As someone who isn't a fan of just munching on plain raw fish, I'm actually ok with that. Lunch is by far the best time to go since a few of the plates are on special for $1.25. This includes the Godzilla Roll, another of my favorites, which is actually fried in tempura and warm. Delicious? Yes. Healthy? Doubtful. There's almost always a line unless you get there right when it opens (I wish the place was bigger!). You're kind of ushered in an out quickly since people are always waiting for your seat. But overall, a great place!
(4)Yvonne O.
I love Sushi Station. I usually try and convince the husband to come with me, but he is so picky that the conveyor belt causes issues for him and he will whine until I relent and go elsewhere. So, I finally won out on Sunday after indulging his burger fetish on Saturday. We got here about 12:40 and were seated right away at the counter. I saw some new items - honey salmon (tempura battered and fried) a vegiie tempura nigiri, and some spicy things. I went with the usual peach roll, station crab, steamed gyoza and the shrimp that is fried in the crispy noodles and served with a spicy oil sauce. The husband was able to find some avocado roll, egg nigiri, and other things to eat so that we didn't have to stop at Steak and Shake afterwards! I think we had about 10 plates by the end and with two sodas it was about $35. I wish they would bring one further east so I could go more often.
(5)John V.
You guys used to be so good before you cheapened all of your ingredients and raised your prices! I would gladly pay more for higher quality sushi.
(3)Ashley C.
Sushi station is my all time favorite sushi place. It may not be the best quality but we love it. Its like fast food sushi but not like that nasty stuff they have in grocery stores. My favorite part is that I can get a little bit of everything without having tons of leftover. The plates usually have 2-4 pieces. The prices are great too. I spend 12-15 on myself when I go there and I am to the point of food coma! I go more to the Rolling Meadows location but if I have the time I like to go to the Elgin one. Its larger and they don't rush you out of there
(5)Michael L.
Ahh, kaiten zushi...how I love you. A group of us went around 7pm and it was packed on a Sunday night. Pros: It's kaiten zushi, what's not to love? Pretty good sushi. Not the best I've ever had, but nowhere near the worst. Closer to the better end. They had all the nigiri and maki rolls that you'd expect. I thought some of the rolls with Japanese mayo were awesome, reminded me of some of the kaiten zushi places in Japan. They even had natto maki rolls, which probably means a good deal of Japanese people eat there (otherwise I don't think enough people would buy it to warrant the place serving it). if you didn't know, Japanese mayo is sooo good and natto is...an acquired taste. Nice full menu, nice staff. I felt it was very reasonably priced. Cons: I was kinda bummed that they didn't have a second track for special orders. It's always fun getting something you ordered on the menu on a little train or special plate. Oh well, I'll live. ---- Conveyor belt sushi is common in Japan but still a novelty here in the states. This place really made me nostalgic about my time there, it's pretty similar to those kaiten zushi places. I don't think it is ever meant to be as good as a traditional sit down place, but rather a quicker and cheaper version. Even so, I thought this place was pretty good. It was on the smaller side, but I guess you should just plan for it or accept a wait. I usually drive through the Chicago area twice a year and after I go to Mitsuwa, I'll be eating here.
(4)MaryBeth M.
Do not go here staff is extremely rude. My husband and I walked in and wanted to sit and start eating and our friends were parking their car. They would not seat us until they were physically in the building so they gave the last table for four away to someone else. When we asked to speak to a manager they say she is eating lunch and can't be bothered.
(1)Mike J.
Sushi Station is a great, fun restaurant for the whole family. The conveyor-belt is the part that makes it fun. Every time we walk in it is packed, from 3 year olds, to 75 year olds. The food there is great. The service is nice, and all of their sushi is fresh and real. As an Asian, this is not a very fancy, high class environment for a sushi restaurant, but the food is just as fresh as a restaurant in Tokyo. The fruit for dessert is nice and fresh. I always like to get the Strawberries and condensed milk. Their silverware, plates, and cups are always clean.
(4)Marni R.
Zomigosh- if I could eat the Hanako and Phoenix rolls every second of every day, I would literally eat until my stomach exploded and my gastrointestinal juices leaked out and liquefied all of my insides. They are THAT good... when they're fresh and crunchy. Aw heck, even when they've been sitting a while on the conveyer belt and have gotten a touch soggy, the're still the best pieces of raw fish I've ever had in my mouth (but then again, I'm a straight female so...) If you want to get a seat quickly, go during an off time or get there as soon as they open the doors. It's so hoppin' like all the time but totally worth the wait when there is one. The Ikura can taste a bit fishy but that would be my only complaint. Oh, and if you're of a larger stature (I'm not picking on you- the love of my life is around 250 lbs), request a table because the single seats around the bar can get kind of cramped. Five stars for you, Glen Coco.
(5)Mike O.
Great "Conveyor belt sushi" place you can start eating as soon as you sit down. They have a menu at the table so if you don't like what's going around every few minutes, they'll make something fresh for you. They do have hot, non-sushi entrees (like chicken teryaki) for those in your group that don't like raw fish. They have very Japanese desserts too, including a red bean paste dish and green tea ice cream. You'll have to wait during busy times, as it's not super huge place. They are one of my regular, go-to sushi places in the area and I'm never disapointed.
(4)Peter B.
One of the better sushi places around in the north suburbs. Since, most of the food comes out in the conveyor belt, service is fast....you pick what you want and start eating! They have some other food that can be ordered in the menu also. Quality is generally good for most of the maki's and rolls. Price is reasonable.
(4)Laura S.
Best sushi ever. They have easy to eat rolls for those less adventurous, but also Very wacky and fun new flavor and texture combos. a GREAT place to stop for lunch or dinner with friends or on a date. about every other month I drive out here from indiana and got here and also Mitsuwa
(5)Allen B.
Kaiten sushi. Conveyor belt sushi. Communal box sushi. However you describe this place it still is nonetheless decent sushi. Albeit, not the highest of quality, this place gives you your monies worth. The rolls are larger and plentiful. The Spicy Garden Crunch is one of my favorites (funny, since this is a vegetable roll with zero meat and I love me some meats). Be mindful of how long the sushi has been sitting on the belt as it goes round and round. But then again, it's usually the sushi that no one really likes that loops around the belt several times. Once a plate has been picked up, it's immediately replaced, but sometimes the supply is hard to keep up with the demand. But be patient folks, no sense in getting all ancy and mad when there are 20 people sitting next to you grabbing for the same plate of sushi. All in all, good place to go. Prices are good, quantity is good, quality is (at times) sub-par, but decently good, BUT the service can be a little sheisty.
(3)Jessica A.
Went on Sunday late afternoon before a dinner rush, on a lunch break from work. I was going to order to go, but opted to stay and eat there. Servers were great with asking if i needed anything, food was fast, sushi was awesome! I love that I can get smaller sized plates with 1/2 the amount of rolls as the full price so i can try different rolls. I got the paradise roll ( one of my favorites) with toasted coconut, avocado, and shrimp tempura( 3.25 for 2 big rolls). I also got salmon rolls ( 2.25 for 6 pieces), california rolls ( 2.25 for 4), alaskan rolls ( another one of my favorites- 2.25 for 4) and salmon nigiri ( 3.25 for 2). I love the rotating sushi bar, lunch specials are great during the week. One of my favorite sushi places to go to in the area and I have yet to ever be disappointed with the service or food there. Yum yum!!
(5)Brad S.
I wish all of life was like this. I sit at a table with the family and the food passes by for inspection. The fish seems fresh and the set up is fun. A word of warning: the seating is limited and you may have to wait for a table and due to the nature of the eating style how long a table sits is more unpredictable. I always spend about $85 elsewhere for Sushi and here I spend about half and always leave over stuffed.
(4)Ron S.
All of the Yelp reviews are pretty much on the mark. Decent sushi but I've had better. The variety is good and it's a great opportunity to sample different rolls without making the big commitment. The prices are fair, especially if you focus on the $1.25 lunch specials but as noted you could drop a pretty penny for lunch. We spent $30 but were pretty stuffed when we walked out. Read Cristie B's review below which includes great tips.
(3)Celia N.
I come here at least once a month for sushi! They have the right thing going on -- pick what you want, get 2 to 4 sushi of that kind, and move on the the next kind! It is such a great system and the taste of the sushi is really great! My favorite it the Hanako sushi, highly recommend!
(5)Keith F.
I guess one could consider my wife and I to be Sushi Station "regulars" since we frequent both locations. This location is the busier of the two (especially around dinner time), and our preferred location even though it's a longer drive. Why is this our preferred location? The speedy service. Rarely do I have to look around to see where our server is to get a drink refill, or order something that hasn't shown up on the belt. Easy three star rating... affordable sushi in a relaxed environment, and the quality isn't that bad also.
(3)Pachelbel C.
Great place for sushi beginners or non-authentic sushi lovers. For that (low) quality, paying $50 for lunch for two in weekend!? If you are looking for authentic Japanese style sushi, I wouldn't recommend unless you want mayo-base sushis.
(2)Christine K.
Average sushi but awesome atmosphere. Cheap prices which is always a plus. Go for the white plates!
(4)Matt S.
Conveyor belt sushi restaurant! The bar is rectangular shaped: bar stools and tables line the edges, food items travel along, and you select what plate you want as it passes by. The plates are color coded for pricing. For example, a white plate is ~$1 while a green plate is ~$4. As you finish the plates, you keep them in a stack and when you're ready for the check, your server will tally up what you ate. Pretty cool experience! There is a good selection to choose from. Sushi includes various veggie and meat combinations with both spicy and/or subtle flavors. You can order from the menu (it has the same items on the conveyor belt) if you didn't want to wait for something to pass by. Menu has appetizers, dessert, and a few beers that aren't circulating. Portions are fairly small for everything. Think between 2-4 pieces on a single plate. Prices are reasonable. You could try 7 different dishes and pay maybe $20 so it's definitely not a ripoff. The place is small so you'll probably have to wait to be seated. Definitely not the best place for a large group. No real waiting area unfortunately. People basically wait all around the perimeter of the restaurant watching everyone in the center eating. Staff is friendly enough, attentive, and the bathroom is kind of nice too. Totally cool experience that everyone should check out!
(4)Justin H.
First off, let me start by saying it is NO Genki Sushi, but for a kaiten sushi spot in Chicago, its not too bad. The service was really good, tea was filled and we were asked a few times how our dinner was going. But where it was lacking for me was with the sushi itself, nothing really stood out and it just was all around average to me. Some of the rolls were huge and hard to eat in one bite but yet too messy to get it in two lol. Anyways.. all in all this place was OK, if I lived here then I would probably be a frequent customer, although I would end up being a hypocrite, talking about missing sushi back in Seattle but yet still stuffing my face and stacking up those little plates next to me.
(3)Rob W.
Good place to go for "atmosphere" - but not "ambiance". The hectic, sometimes rushed experience at this place is akin to boarding a Japanese train in rush hour. The sushi is good and the conveyor belt thing is part of the schmaltz of the place. Can be hard to get what you want at times as sushi chefs are busy keeping that conveyor belt full so it can be hard to get their attention. I've heard that Sushi Station is what the norm is in Japan for many sushi restaurants. It's not among my favorite places for sushi, but I do like going there to mix it up a bit.
(3)rayna a.
Sorry, this place has low standards. To keep it brief, my sis found something about her food that even grossed out the people next to us. Nuff said.
(1)Arnie N.
While an interesting concept (I've heard this type of system is not unusual in Japan), I thought the execution could have been much better. It was basically supermarket sushi, with a 20% markup because of the conveyor system. Not bad, but hardly worth going out of your way for. Can order from the menu, which will be necessary for things like soups and whatever isn't in transit under plexi. Long story short, I've been, and don't need to do it again.
(2)Aaron E.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is absolutely beautiful. The waiters get you your food within the minute and the service is great. The food by far is the best sushi I've ever had.
(5)Monica P.
Love going there when I'm in the Woodfield area because it's so fun to choose your own adventure on the revolving sushi belt. It's a good variety for a good price. If there is something on the menu you don't see you can order it. It is an in and out place, so if you want to lounge for hours this is not that type of sushi spot.
(4)Geoff F.
Friday dinner is really busy. Their rolls are good enough to get sushi satisfaction but are not the best. Good prices. You grab as much as you want since you sit at tables that sit you right at the carousel. Don't do the tuna roll though, it's pretty metallicy tasting. The Phoenix roll is good.
(3)Yanyao N.
I love kaiten sushi. When I worked in Hong Kong and Beijing, I would go for lunch multiple times a week and pretty much spend all my paychecks stuffing my face. Unfortunately, conveyor belt sushi is hard to find in Chicago. I stumbled across sushi floating around of boats (I love this too!), and only recently tried out Sushi Station. The set-up is very similar to my beloved Genki Sushi back home (minus the angry sushi face and self-serve green tea & hot water station at your seat). Everyone gets packed in alongside a conveyor belt and you watch the little plates go by and simply remove whatever plate you want to eat. Stack those babies up, and at the end of your meal, the server comes and calculates your bill based on how many of each colored plate you ate. The variety of sushi available is definitely one of Sushi Station's big selling points. I saw jellyfish & shark's fin sushi, some sort of salmon nigiri topped with guacamole, amberjack, fatty salmon, some odd mix of sweet shrimp, corn and mayonnaise... there are many interesting options here. Plus, if you want something that you don't see, you can order off the menu. This place is busy, but the servers are easy to find, helpful, and friendly. My main gripe is the sushi rice. I'm not sure if it is always like this, but when I went this weekend, the rice was quite firm. It made the experience a lot less enjoyable for me. Firm sushi rice is pretty much a deal-breaker, and if I was served this in a non-conveyor belt sushi setting, I would send it back (BUT the setting and experience is fun, and the prices are cheap). I understand that I'm not going to eat Jiro-san quality sushi here, but they really need to work on the rice. If you haven't tried kaiten sushi, come visit Sushi Station. Your post-conveyor belt sushi experience life will never be the same!
(3)Jen P.
I have been here twice in the past month because I am slightly obsessed. I love this place because there is a variety of sushi to choose from, whenever you want, instead of other restaurants where you only usually order one plate. My favorite sushi here is the hanako rolls!! Also it is not that expensive either, with me and my boyfriend it's usually around $28-30 with all of the plates combined.
(5)Rich S.
I will not be returning to this place. The food is just ok, I've had better elsewhere. They were convenient on the way home from work though. The service has been on a steady decline and today was the straw that broke the camel's back. I called to place an order for pick up. I showed up at the 15 minute mark, as requested by the order taker who told me no less than three times that it was going to be in Rolling Meadows (duh, I called Rolling Meadows, lady). Anyway, I walked in and the girl greeted me with their standard greeting which I could never understand what they were saying. I told her three times I was there to pick up, all the while she's looking over my shoulder at the people behind me trying to get a headcount. I finally raised my voice and said "I'm here to pick up". I gave her my name, she gave me my ticket to look over and told me where to stand to pay. I went there, got my money ready and the cashier looked around me and took the next person in line. The greeter girl came back and asked if everything was ok, I said I was just trying to pay. The other lady behind the counter flashed me a finger to wait a minute and it wasn't very friendly and she didn't appear to be doing anything. I was so fed up I tossed the ticket on the counter and told them to cancel and I wouldn't be back. They called me on the way home and told me that if I didn't come get my order they wouldn't be able to take my orders over the phone anymore. I told them that's not a problem because I won't be returning. I've had issues in the past where there told me the order was going to be ready in 15 minutes, so I'd show up after 15 minutes and I've waited an additional 30+ for my order. Their Elgin location isn't much better, I've had to leave my seat to find someone who would bring us our check. At this point the only thing they have going for them is that they're cheap and that's what will draw the crowds they get. As for me, I'll let my sushi snob come out and go someplace better and pay a little more for better quality and better service.
(1)Melissa K.
Delicious sushi! Me and my husband are a bit of Tuskasa snobs but wanted to try a new place and liked the idea of the conveyor belt. I loved that you can order smaller portions of rolls so we were able to try several different rolls I loved the caterpillar roll! I don't think it's the best sushi place I've been to but it was very delicious and I would def come back again! If your thinking of getting dessert I would opt for the red bean ice cream vs green tea we had both and loved the red bean thanks sushi station for a delicious experience!
(4)Vlad K.
If you are a real sushi connoisseur, you will love this place. They have the finest ikura, negitoro, and hamachi. The prices are much lower than other restaurants and you can sample a very wide variety. I come here weekly and recommend you stop by next time you're in the mood for sushi.
(5)Juveriya M.
Sushi Station is awesome! When you go to a normal sushi restaurant, you have to order one dish that cost $13 but you get 10 rolls of the same thing. That gets boring fast. However, at Sushi Station, because of the conveyor belt, you get to try all kinds of different rolls quickly and efficiently. If you want something off the menu, they also serve that super fast. They really want you in and out of the restaurant because of the limited seating. And that's ok, this is not the place to have romantic or dramatic conversation, it's a place for good and satisfying sushi. That's it. Disclaimer: we are not doing them a favor by eating at their restaurant. They are doing us a favor. Let me explain, here are their rules: 1. Don't sit and talk and not eat. 2. Don't order honey with your green tea, they'll laugh at you. 3. Don't bring any outside food, not even snacks for your baby. 4. Don't even think about asking for something special on your birthday, they won't care. 5. Don't show up to the restaurant from 2 pm to 5 pm, it's closed. Other than that, this is my favorite sushi spot, it all depends on if you can handle the drama.
(5)Mark S.
Love this place for a tasty, quick lunch or dinner. I love the San Diego roll. I like that I can try different things instead of eating a whole roll of the same thing. Their crab salad is a little too fishy for me, so I stay away from that.
(4)Mike W.
The service is terrible with inconsistent rules. Previously we went there as a group of 4 and we were asked to sit at the bar because all tables were fully occupied. Today we went there (again 4 of us) and we were asked to wait because all tables were fully occupied. Since there were more than 4 open seats available at the bar, we requested to sit at the bar. However we were turned down, we were told the bar is only available for group of 3 or less. Since we were a group of 4, we have to wait until the tables were cleared. What kind of rules are these? We were in a little rush today and asked again if we can sit at the bar (consider us as 2 groups of 2 instead of a group of 4, again we were turned down). So we had no choice but to leave.
(1)Jackie M.
We finally got to try this place, because there was no wait! Every other time we've tried, the wait was too long for us. We loved it! The sushi was amazing and fresh. Loved the option of seeing before you choose it. My husband is allergic to shellfish and I am avoiding raw fish, so we were both able to eat plenty within our limits, and it was awesome! And very good prices!
(4)Lauren B.
I don't really like eating there, because the food isn't as fresh. I mean, it's still FRESH, and it's not awful. But, you know, it's been on the belt for a little bit. But when we order out (which is now what we opt for the majority of the time), our food is always ready right when I get there, and it is SO DELICIOUS! It's great sushi, some pretty creative dishes, and it's ridiculously affordable for the quality you get (when you order out, in my opinion)! Oh, and the staff is always great. :)
(4)Nicole S.
Sushi Station in Rolling Meadows is by far one of my favorite places for sushi. The tuna is top notch and melt-in-your-mouth good. It's really fun to go with friends, the conveyor belt makes it a fun game of grabbing your stuff before it passes by, and the whole restaurant has a cute clean feel to it. If you want to eat conveyor belt sushi like in all the Japanese shows you see, this is the place to do it. Reasonably priced on just about everything, and I can easily stuff myself on $10 here. It's great variety and consistently good. If anything doesn't seem 'fresh' in the belt or doesn't seem to be coming around you can always ask the waitress for a fresh plate of anything. This is helpful during busy (can't find what you want) and slow (if something has been sitting on the line for a little bit) times. Cheap, entertaining, quick, and good service. Plus the green tea ice cream is absolute perfection in a bowl! If you want to have a fun sit down time with friends this is definitely a good choice, and I've stopped here many times for a quick meal during work shifts (never took me longer than 15~20 minutes to go in, eat to my heart's content, and get out during those breaks!) The store does close in the mid-afternoon, but that's pretty standard for Japanese-run business. I'm not sure why this is the case, but it was like that when I worked at a sushi bar before, and just about every other Japanese joint I've been to.
(5)Jennifer P.
I made a return trip to Sushi Station a few weeks ago after a multiple-year hiatus. Quite honestly I thought it was a god-awful place with ridiculously sub-par sushi. I chided friends and acquaintances for going there. So why did I return? A friend of mine saw a review on Check Please (of all places damnit) and thought it would be excellent since "The guy who suggested it had been to Japan and said they had the conveyors there too." My first thought was that the guy probably needs a good ass whoppin' for that comment alone. I talked her out of going to Sushi Station for months and brought her elsewhere. BUT, she also has a 14 year old son and we thought he'd enjoy the conveyor, so I ended up conceding. I must say, it seems to have improved a lot since my last visit. Portion sizes (albeit not high-quality) are larger, and they offer more varieties of lower-cost plates. (The first time I went I don't think there was one white or pink plate.) There were also rolls/creations to choose from. While I'm more of a purist, it was interesting to try the varieties. This time I splurged on some green and yellow plates. One had some HUGE pieces of (supposedly) fatty tuna, and another had some HUGE pieces of yellowtail. The tuna tasted off, and the yellowtail was flavorless. It was akin to expecting a decent craft beer and getting a Busch Light instead. Now, I'll drink Busch Light, but not for $4.25. I love me some pickled ginger, but I won't eat it here, as it's in a communal box-type thing on the table. I like my ginger to come just for ME and from the kitchen, please. I don't feel comfortable with the notion that someone's been pokin' their who-knows-what in the ginger. The server was good, but got a little pushy when we had been there a bit long. She told us the cash register was closing in 10 minutes and we'd better pay now. In reality, I think her shift was ending or it was her lunch break or something. Ehh, we stayed, still made sure she got tipped, and all was well as far as I know. The kid had fun. By the end of our long lunch he was trying to count how long it took for the belt to go on one rotation. My bill was $25 and I was STUFFED. All in all a better experience than I had anticipated. Would I go back? Sure, and not kicking and screaming this time.
(3)Douglas B.
So let's get it out of the way.... This place has a conveyor belt with all sorts of goodies rotating around the restaurant hitting every table. They have a little sign telling you what the food is and a few plates of that food following it. The gimmick is you open the little space contraption, pull out the plate and eat. Each plate has a different color and you pay a different price depending on the color. So the food is ok... its not the best. But what I like is the variety you get. they have a delicious squid salad. I mostly get their nigiri because their maki can bet rather big. The Uni is not bad and the udon is tastey as well. They are tasting portions so that's what's nice. You don't have to pay for items you don't end up liking or filling up on the same items. You can also order off the menu and if its not on the belt then they can make it for you. It's a bit of a drive for us from Chicago, so we go once in a while.
(3)Frankie L.
This was my first time here & I ordered carryout. When I first walked in I was a little skeptical because it kinda looked cheesy. well, Im there for the sushi and I must say it was quite good and very reasonably priced! I will return.
(3)Phil S.
Not, by any means, high quality but tasty in it's own way. The idea is novel and the average person loves the way the belt tantalizes as it smoothly whisks various colored dishes of overpriced rolls and nigiri past you. A visual appetizer followed closely by instant gratification that the ADD generation of today demands. I like coming here once in a while to wait in cramped spaces for 30 plus minutes to try to enjoy sushi that falls apart because they were poorly constructed and then sent around the room for 30 minutes before finally being picked off the display line like some sort of orphaned child. I always go in with the intention of only trying a few dishes then leaving with my sushi craving satiated but my wallet intact. I haven never once been able to overcome overindulgence and have consistently come away with a $50+ bill for two people. Stupid, I know but unavoidable. The one thing that really, really bothers me is that they allow a grill to be used out in the middle of the restaurant without a vent hood overhead. The last thing that you would expect is to leave a sushi restaurant smelling like you've been cooking your own Korean BBQ without having actually eaten any of the BBQ. There is a kitchen on the other side of the wall with proper ventilation so please do your grilling over there because nobody wants to see a non-Japanese guy act like he has some sort of skill in manipulating a spatula when people can't even see him beyond the conveyor belt cover. Please, for the love of food, don't kill the little flavor your sushi contains by invading my nasal cavity with your offensive grill odors. It is a very, very stupid idea.
(3)Katie M.
I really love coming to this place, and I've been twice now. The sushi is delicious! Some of the rolls are a bit too big to get in one bite, but they're tasty none the less! Since you can just get dishes off the conveyor belt, the service is fast, and you can take as long or as little time as you'd like. I've never had to wait for service if I needed a drink, or wanted sushi that wasn't on the conveyor belt. Fast, moderately priced, and delicious. What more could you ask for?
(5)Pari P.
There's some mesmerizing quality of sushi on a conveyor belt. It's the same as a cat to a fishbowl. You simply can't help but stare at the sushi go around and then see it again several minutes later. This place gets packed quickly and you are often waiting at least 20 minutes to be seated. The sushi itself isn't spectacular but the variety and the price keeps bringing me back. You can try various types of maki rolls and nigiri sushi for considerably less. At a normal sushi restaurant, a maki roll will cost $8-15. Here, you can try several different kinds of sushi for the same price. It's great for those who love sushi but hate how expensive it can be. Although most of the combinations involve salmon, tuna, and shrimp, the variations are creative using soy paper, guacamole, and even corn. The hanako roll in particular is a delicious bite with different textures. It has imitation crab, green onions, tempura chips, cream cheese, mayo, and teriyaki sauce. Sounds odd but it works. Helpful tip, don't bring your first date here because of the cat and fishbowl phenomenon. If you do, it'll be a cheap date but hardly any words will be exchanged.
(5)Rebecca M.
Well, I tried this place again. While I originally gave it three stars, I thought I might be able to give it more. WRONG! Sushi was same, OK but satisfied my craving, but then they started kicking us out! Someone who wasn't even our server came over, gave us the wrong bills, and said "You're done, right?" That will be my last trip there.
(1)Nate C.
I'll have to say that yes I am a fan. I enjoyed the mini udon soup, spider roll and dragon roll. Everything was fresh and rolled well. I really didn't see anything good on the conveyor belt...maybe because I got there 30 min. before they close at 2pm for what I heard was nap time...hehe! I'll definitely have to go earlier so I can see more selections and not just dessert left on the belt. More reviews to come after I really get to taste more of their sushi and have time to sit and stare at the belt.
(4)jen m.
Decent prices, fast service, free parking makes this sushi joint a good experience! I've been coming here for a couple of years now and have been very satisfied. Don't come here looking for out of the ordinary makis, they don't have it. I like to mostly get the sushi pieces, esp. tamago and hamachi. Fresh tasting and cheap is the winning combo! I happen to be a big fan of unagi but don't order it here, they torch the darn thing before they serve it, so it tastes burnt. Recently went here on a Sat night, waited only a good 15 mins (the upside of self service). But, the hostess was so concerned in getting people out as soon as they are done, that she must of looked over our shoulders and asked us no less than 5 times in 15 mins if we were done.
(4)Matt W.
How can you beat sushi on a conveyor belt? This is the best Sushi restaurant in all of Chicagoland. Sushi Station has high quality sushi at very reasonable prices. I didn't know what I was missing out on at other sushi restaurants until I found this gem. You can sit there and get hypnotized by all the beautiful plates of sushi passing by your table. Grab what you would like or ask the very friendly staff to make you something to-order off the large menu. I have brought many friends to this special place and all of them have loved it and have made Sushi Station a place they now visit. Pluses: -Free self-serve ginger. -Very nice bathroom -Good Tea -Beer & Sake -Yummy Deserts -Authentic (just like the ones in Japan I have been to, only with BETTER sushi) Downsides: - None, this is as good as it gets!
(5)Jenna S.
Been to this place a handful of times since it opened. Not the best sushi you've had in the world, and a somewhat limited selection of what's coming down the conveyor belt, but still a great concept. Would have given it 4 stars because it's a pretty reliable choice, but they need to investigate making the conveyor belt a bit colder. Items that have been in there more than a few minutes always seem luke warm...even though there are salads and such that need to be served chilled. Some items are over priced, like the various fruit dishes they have (strawberries, mandarin oranges, melon) and the American desserts are very average (cheesecake, chocolate cake, chocolate covered strawberries) but stick with the authentic stuff like Red Bean Paste Balls, Gyozas, or Squid Salad and you're good to go! We partically choose to come back because it's always a quick in-n-out experience and great when you need a fast lunch or dinner.
(3)Lindley E.
Errrr. I've never been much in love with the conveyor belt sushi concept - not in Japan, when as a teenager we'd head over there for midnight eats, and most certainly not as an adult, where a single visit was enough to convince me never again. For those who love truly fast food with a healthy profile, Sushi Station is heaven-sent. For those who actually demand quality, well, Sushi Station isn't really ideal. Don't get me wrong - the sushi isn't bad - it just isn't great, and if I'm going for raw fish and vinegared rice, it better be amazing. Life is too short for average fish. PS - this place gets very crowded at lunch.
(3)Tracy K.
I love the idea of grabbing food off a conveyor, and it was neat to come here for the novelty factor. Apparently everyone else does too; the wait times for a Thursday evening were ridiculous. Unfortunately, there was only one vegetarian item (not counting desserts) that I saw coming around. I tried that and it was okay; not something I would choose again. I ordered two vegetarian rolls - fiesta (cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, tomato & cucumber) and vegetable (cucumber, avocado & carrot), and while they satisfied my hunger, they were really nothing special. I also ordered a bowl of miso soup.. that never arrived. I have had much better sushi elsewhere, and would really only come back here if someone suggested it. I am glad to have eaten here though for the novelty of the experience.
(3)Erick P.
This place is alright, I used to take my little brother here to eat because he really enjoyed it. I personally had better sushi, the system is pretty neat how the sushi comes around and stuff but, sometimes the stuff you want is always gone because people before you always grab it. I guess this is a good place to start eating sushi if you have never tried before.
(2)Chris C.
So here's the thing about this place. Its not perfect for all sushi eating situations, but it does have its place in the world of sushi. If they opened one of these in the city (and I have heard they plan to) it would be the end of me. As I'm sure many other reviews mention, this is one of those 'sushi served by way of conveyor belt' restaurants. Knowing this, you should also know that its more of a quick in-and-out kind of place. So yes, they discourage you from sitting and chatting for hours on end. But its just not that kind of place, so it doesn't matter to me. I live in the city and I frequently have to visit family out in Elgin. This is the perfect place to stop on the way, and spend 20 - 30 minutes getting some very good sushi. Is it the best I've ever had? No, but it is very good, fast, and its also a lot of FUN. The conveyor belt concept is a really entertaining way to enjoy a meal, and a particularly good place to go if you are new to sushi, or going out to eat with someone that is new to sushi. Its far less scary to give something a try when you can see it right in front of you, and the portions are much smaller. So you don't have to invest $10 on a full roll. Anyway, I really enjoy this place for its fun, its quality, its location, and its speed. Probably not where you want to go for a nice night out for sushi, but for any other sushi eating occasion, it will fit the bill. Oh and one last note, there is another location that opened out in Carpentersville. It lacks the charm of this original location, but it serves up the same good sushi. So while I prefer the Arlington Heights location, the other one will do in a pinch.
(5)Kathy F.
Sometimes I just feel like sushi for lunch. Fortunately I work in Rolling Meadows so I can get in and out of Sushi Station in 30 minutes if I need to get back to the office quickly. I am a big fan of the salmon sushi. I gave up fried foods for lent so I had to skip the San Diego roll yesterday. When I feel adventurous I like the Mexican roll and the Spider Roll. I should say, adventurous for what Sushi Station has to offer. Granted I have eaten things that I probably had no idea what they were in Seattle and L.A. For mid-west sushi and a quick, moderately healthy lunch, I have to give props to the Station. Love the waitstaff, too! Oh, and best to go right at 11:30a.m. when they open--when the sushi is the freshest!
(4)Christine S.
While I do like Sushi Station for a fast, reasonably priced sushi meal I sometimes question the freshness of the food. I've left feeling queasy on more than one occasion and once in a while I do pick up something that smells like it has been in the dome for a while. The staff is polite and efficient and the prices are reasonable. It can be hard to get a seat for more than one during lunch and dinner rush but that's to be expected. For the money, though, there are better places to go that can probably serve nice quality food just a quickly.
(2)Michelle F.
I was going to post right after I ate there but I thought about the experience some more and wanted some time to let it sit before writing this. It wasn't too crowded when we got there but they would not seat us until our group of 8 arrived, even when 7 of us were there... The sushi was meh... nothing very creative or special, and the amount of fish on the nigiri was tiny compared to everywhere else I have had Sushi in the Chicago area... Their spicy rolls weren't. The waitress was nice, but after we had finished and they brought us the bill the place had gotten really crowded... She had the audacity to ask us to leave so they could seat other customers... We had not finished chatting with each other and were still enjoying our tea? Seriously? mediocre food, moderately good service and then being tossed out to make room for more cattle? Most places that would be in the recipe book under "how to run your restaurant business into the ground"....
(1)Phil G.
I found this place in may when I was feigning sushi. Their rolls were fresh and were spicy to my liking. It was fast, fresh, convenient, and inexpensive. The people were friendly and attentive. Was well worth the trip.
(5)Nona Gayle D.
i just had a sushi craving fulfilled.... my brother's gf brought over a plate of sushi and let me say it was mighty tasty... and well priced! We had the spicy salmon, spider, unagi, and philadephia roll and we are stuffed! The fish was really fresh. I have no complaints about their take out!!!
(4)Nancy F.
I love this place! The concept is awesome - why not have fresh sushi going through a conveyor so that you can actually see what sushi you actually want to eat. If you don't see what you want, grab a waitress and order off the menu and she'll bring it to you pronto. This place raised its prices a few months back - extra 25 cents on everything and they now charge you $1 for green tea (unlimited refills though) but its still a great deal. The sushi is fresh and tastes good. The sushi order sizes are smaller, which is great because it leaves room for you to try lots of different things and once you find something you like, you can manage to eat the whole order yourself! This is the only place in the Chicago area that I know has the sushi rolling on a conveyor.. .they need to have more of these places (I heard they did open another location in another suburb). Great sushi at a great price - good for sushi experts and novices!
(5)Tony A.
Nice variety of sushi at a decent price. Despite having long lines to get in, they tend to move pretty quick.
(4)Matt D.
I've visited this location twice, and I still prefer the Elgin one. My first experience here must have been at a bad time, because all my sushi tasted stale and disgusting. My outing today was better, but still not up to Elgin quality. My only other problem with this location is the size. I was crammed between one of my friends and some stranger. Not a deal breaker for me, but I could see it ruining some peoples meal. Long story short, if you're not in the mood to make the hike to Elgin, this is an acceptable alternative.
(3)Suzy D.
If you like sushi, and you plan on throwing down a lot of it, come here! This place is kind of a long ways to come for sushi, but the prices are good and the fish is pretty fresh. My husband and I came here on Saturday for lunch. We had to wait about 10 minutes to get seated since the place was packed, but that's a good sign. So anyways, we were seated and then we proceeded to eat massive quantities of raw fish. yum! Whenever we go visit family in Taiwan, we usually go to a sushi restaurant like this, where the sushi comes on the conveyor belt so it was a fun yet familiar concept for us. We're not fans of any rolls that have imitation crab, mayo or cream cheese in them. yuck. fake sushi. So we got the fatty tuna, super white tuna, fatty salmon, tuna tataki, welk, ika, toro, and a few others. We ate like 20 little plates and were totally stuffed. Our bill was about 80 dollars, but at any sushi restaurant downtown, our bill would have been over 100 at least, considering the amount we ate. Anyways, yum and we will be back. The toro, ika, fatty salmon, and the tataki were all wonderful. I think the rolls with the fake crab, mayo, cream cheese are cheaper, so if you're into that kind of stuff, you will be able to have a very affordable meal here.
(4)Steve S.
There are only two things that I would like to point out about this place. The sushi here is iiight.... It is not one of the freshest fish I have tasted but alright at best. The price is reasonable for the quality so I did not expect much. The service.... here is where they deceive you... Friendly at first but rush to kick you out. Couple of friends of mine went here to celebrate a birthday lunch. Just wanted something quick... So we get in and they greet us in Japanese which I assume was welcome to our shop or something like that.... We sit down and grab our food and eat. Near the end of the meal, we took out a small birthday cake that we got for her and the waitress immediately stopped us saying we couldn't eat anything that wasn't made at the restaurant.... we explained how it was her birthday but she said that they had customers waiting so they gave us the bill and ignored our request to just have cake.... the fck? OVERALL the food was alright... service was -_- don't even want to say... Even though we had a bad experience.... I would recommend it for a quick meal if you're craving sushi...
(3)Josh M.
Consistency is definitely the strong suit of this conveyor belt style sushi place. I have never had a bad experience here. The miso soup is good and so is the udon bowls. The nice thing about this type of place is that you get a chance to see what you are getting before you choose it. You can tell when something has been going around for a long time and at that point you don't have to get it. It is also nice to see that when I go, about once a month, that there is something new coming down the line. My personal favorite is the san diego roll so if you haven't tried it definitely go for it. This isn't a place for the sushi elitist but it is a great place for beginners and other who don't want to spend a fortune for just a couple of rolls.
(4)Bob F.
Love the concept of the moving meal. Makes dinner interesting because you have something to look at other than your wife, who is mean and hates cats. Luckily they love cats at Sushi Station and they don't believe in declawing. After a few times I ended up ordering my favorites which are the volcanic poppers and a few other spicy dishes.
(5)Jenny J.
The best way to try a little bit of everything if you're into variety or just not sure of what type of sushi you like. Plates come with 2-4 pieces and this allows you to try different things. You are seated around a conveyor belt that rotates around the restaurant and kitchen. On the conveyor belt sit color-coded plates (the color designates the price) of rolls, appetizers, and desserts. However, there is also a menu from which you can order items you do not see on the belt. I have been three times, with different party sizes and each time we ate and were completely stuffed at a reasonable price. The only drawback, the place is always packed (lunch and dinner) and you are rushed out once you are done. So if you want to sit and talk, don't eat here.
(3)Matty M.
so whenever i see a commercial for this place, they always advertise how affordable it is, in my opinion it's affordable if you get nothing, i'm surprised that salmonella poisoning isn't more common here, the fish always seems like it's been in the sun 8 minutes too long overall i really like this place, but i think that has more to do with my affection of japanese culture more than affection of the restaurant
(3)Erin M.
Sushi rolling by on a conveyor belt and super friendly staff...you can't go wrong. I had a hard time deciding whether to give 4 or 5 stars, and I settled with 4 because I don't think this place will wow the sushi aficionado. However, for most of us Americanized sushi loves, this is the spot! I have been going here since it opened and it never disappoints me. If you go at the end of their hours, the selection is a little more limited, but that's to be expected. Plus, you can order whatever you want from the servers and they'll make it fresh. They have a great selection of maki - as for the nigiri, it's sorta limited but still okay. There seems to be a lot of choices with crab salad, which I love, even if it's not traditional. My must-haves every time are the Bostation Roll and the Godzilla Roll (now only available through your server). And an added bonus - my mom can't seem to figure out chopsticks for the life of her, so she either uses a fork or her fingers and no one bats an eye:)
(4)Vince V.
Life is too short and cash too precious to spend eating so-so sushi. I have never been wowed by this place even though it gets pretty busy. It's just that nothing I've eaten here has ever made me yearn for more. It might be the sort of place you would bring a first time sushi eater to because it is fairly non-threatening, which is the same thing as saying it's kind of boring.
(2)Kortney M.
I must say that I love the idea of conveyor belt sushi places. I love seeing with my mouth what to eat, its so hard for me ordering sushi because if it looks gross I wont eat it. I like that they have a fridge fashioned over the conveyor belt also, I have been to other places where they dont have this and the sushi gets all yucky.
(3)Nasty B.
I've been coming here at least once a month, for the last 8 years. But after what I went through last night, Sushi Station will no longer see any of my business (including friends and family). Read beyond the positive reviews and you'll see that they have a pattern of treating their customers poorly. There's now a sign in the entry way that says you cannot get a table unless there are 3 persons in your group. This is even true for the two of us who showed up at 9:15pm (45 minutes before they close). They had 5 empty tables but somehow insisted that we sit next to a row of people along the sushi belt. And when we asked as to whether we can give a space between us and the other people, we were told that we were required to bunch in. Remember, there was no one waiting to be seated and the restaurant was at half capacity at this time. Management stood behind the counter and saw our disappointment with how we were treated. And yet somehow, she made no attempt to remedy the situation. Over the years, I've noticed that with an increase in their popularity, they've implemented a system in which their service will try to rush you out (they'll interrupt you if there are signs that your conversation is dragging), the quality and size of the fish has gotten worse, and they started selling items that have no place being on the menu. Look beyond the novelty of Sushi on a conveyor belt and you'll see a restaurant with poor customer service and below-average food. An advice to Sushi Station from a guy that's been to a few restaurants- stop worrying about customers that haven't crossed through your doors, be mindful of the ones that have already arrived ! You just lost a group of loyal customers.
(1)Chad M.
I used to think...EEEWWWW Sushi? But then I tried it and liked it, first at Sushi Nari in Arl Hts. And now, at Sushi Station. It was incredible. My favorite rolls are the Hollywood Roll, the Philadelphia Roll, and the Hanako Roll. All very delicious and fresh. I would say that it DOES feel like they try to shoo you out of there, but they ARE busy, and there are likeminded people who also want to taste the goodness as well. Great pricing, and well worth it.
(5)harold k.
I dined here abt 2 wks ago. and there is a reason why the prices here are reasonable for sushi... the quality is sub-par. and with the rolls: there is way too much rice! The conveyor belt is cool though. I will not be coming back here.
(2)Katelyn C.
Sushi constantly passing your table with signs that describes what is inside?! AMAZING! I love that you get to see what you are eating before you order it! If it isn't coming around then order it off the menu! The only problem is you never know how long it has been in there going around in circles... The staff is funny and helpful. There can be a longer wait, but it is definitely worth it! It is reasonably priced, but I wouldn't go there hungry because it does add up quickly! The colors of the plates tell you how expensive everything is and it is super helpful. If you don't get the sweet seats by the conveyer belt make sure your friends listen when you tell them to grab you a plate! It is a lot of fun and in a way entertaining. I would recommend it for younger people. If you are ever around the Woodfield area shopping, stop in for a fun meal!
(4)Jessica M.
I wont be back. I originally went because a friend said it was amazing. I was not impressed the place seemed kind of dirty to me and we were waiting 30 mins to be seated. After we were seated (at the END of the conveyor belt) it seemed like we had to wait forever before a roll or a dish that we actually want to eat would come by. Alot of the less-popular items i saw make a full rotation on the belt at least 6 times.. I dont know about you but i dont want raw fish thats been rolling around a conveyor belt for 45 mins. I believe out of the 9 rolls my table got i only cared for one of them. This place was very cheap though i can say that.. but i feel like your very rushed and they like to grab your plates ASAP so that way you dont like stick a plate in your purse and they loose the 3.95 for that plate... PLEASE but yea their ON IT they dont wanna loose a cent. 2 stars for the cool idea... but everything else was garbage..
(2)Jacky S.
gross... If you like sushi station... then you havnt had really good sushi before. Im not sure if it is the rice that is mushy.. but something is off key...
(2)Hawon J.
I do not understand how this place got such good reviews from people. Yes, it is indeed a unique experience but that is pretty much it. Sushi taste mediocre at the best. I'll probably never go back to here.
(2)Grace L.
Quality of fish isn't all that great. However, I love the concept of conveyor belt. Except I feel the speed of the conveyor belt is quite fast. Also they have great service.
(3)J P.
I had a friend bring me here for a lunch after work and it was a pretty fun and interesting experience, pretty original! The sushi was pretty good too. Mostly I liked the fact that you don't have to purchase an entire roll, you get 1-2 pieces a plate and you can really take risks and try new things! Usually, Im scared to order anything but my usual but when I went here, I picked up a lot of different items from the little conveyer belt and didn't feel bad that I had just wasted around 2 bucks if I didn't like it, but mostly, I liked it. And to the posters who said it wasn't fresh since it was running on a conveyer belt all day. We were there a while, and trust me the sushi rolls were getting picked up fast, I didn't see anything roll around for more than 3 times so I highly doubt sushi has been rolling around for a very long time! They also have yummy dessert pieces which were really good!
(5)Elizabeth H.
I absolutely love this place. Everything I had was fresh and delicious. The place was PACKED. It was slightly hard to get our waitress' attention in order to order drinks because it was so busy. They have awesome desserts. I had cheesecakes squares and they melted in my mouth. I would go back just for that!
(5)Christina Z.
On my visit there I called 20 minutes before for a pick up order. Placed the order and arrived there to pick up my Godzilla, Spider, and California Roll. Upon getting there the lady gave me a total that seemed way to big to be my order. When I brought it up they claimed that I had not made the order if they didn't have it. The perk of living in a techno savy world, I pulled out my cell phone and showed them their number. Turns out I was right cuz a minute later what happens? They find the ticket with my order and tell me that they gave my order to another person named Christina. They then tell me to wait so they can make my order. My response is simple, "Do I get a discount?" In which the woman who speaks minimal English and I mean minimal, but she understood that screams, "No Discount! No Discount!" The she begins to speak in her native tongue to her coworkers and it becomes clear that she is talking about me as they all are staring at me. So when I ask to speak to a manager the same woman says, "I am and NO discount." I stood there and explained to her that I called in the order and it wasn't my fault that they lost it. When I say this she turns to her teenage worker and blames her for this. How do I know? Well a high pitched voice and a girl looking ready to cry is the same in any language. So I stop the woman and I tell her it's not her fault. To stop yelling at her because she isn't the person to be mad at. She finally stops and in the end gives me 10%. I then hear this young girl talking to the person who has my order and telling them that they can have that for free and they'll credit back the amount to her credit card. I'm stunned that they would do this consider all I went through with them for a lousy 10%. Sushi Station is more like HELL STATION! No part of the experience was worth it. The rolls were poorly made and cold!
(1)Kathy S.
After writing the review for this place, I realized how long it's been since I've gone and decided to go this weekend. I love the new rolls that they have such as their magma roll although that particular roll has almost too much sauce which I can see some people disliking. I was craving some uni and was somewhat disappointed when they told me they did not have it that night but I won't be holding that against them since it's not easy to always have uni on hand. One thing you will have to try is their cheesecake!! It is not as heavy as normal cheesecake but just as good. I don't recommend the flan as it was just okay and I definitely had much better.
(5)MJ L.
I've been here a good amount of times and have never had an issue with this place until tonight. My friends and I were celebrating a birthday and 4 sushi plates later, I was asked by the waitress if I needed a box....clearly I still had my chopsticks in hand and my plate was not empty. So no, I was not done and just told her that I was still eating. There wasn't even a wait! Shortly after paying the bill, another lady, possibly a manager, dressed in black was hovering around our table. Finally, she comes over to our table and starts cleaning and saying, "Thank you" over and over, taking our drinks and all, practically forcing us out!!! WTF was my thought so on our way out, my friend tells her, "If you wanted us to leave, you should've just said so." And she pretty much made sure that the other customers heard that comment. Plain rude and there are definitely better places with better service. Read the other comments from others who have also been forced out of this worthless place.
(1)Glenn R.
The sushi here is not the best, but I come here for their very reasonable prices. Being the cheapscape that I am, I always get the 2 piece sushi variety for $1.25...... Seriously, how can you beat that !!! I usually pick up sushi to go once a week, after work, and I usually only pay around $10, depending on what I order. If you choose to eat inside, the sushi on the conveyer belt is always a cool sight. You just sit back and watch all the sushi pass you, and if you want one, you just pick it up....that easy. Also, they made keeping tab on the price very easy. The price is based on the color of the plate the sushi is served on. For example, a white plate is only $1.25, a yellow plate is $2.25, a blue plate is #3.25; You get the idea. Overall, this place is great for fast food sushi and for budget minded folks.
(3)Dee T.
Last weekend after spending a confusing 2 hours at the IKEA we got a little bit hungry and went to Sushi Station for dinner. On the way to IKEA we had passed it and noticed how it was full and there were Asian people waiting in line outside. Always a good sign for a sushi place, no? Wrong. The sushi was so bad! The fish didn't taste that fresh, neither was it cheap, and we were packed in like sardines in this restaurant. But the boyfriend finds it hard to say no to the sushi conveyor belt, so 20 minutes after he says, wow this is not good, we're still there and he's tucking into a new plate of sushi off the belt. Not the best 30 dollars we spent!
(2)Susan R.
The conveyor sushi is the only reason to go. I stopped in on a Friday after work to order carry-out and was not addressed by their host for some time. While I waited I looked in the small room that was full of teenagers and early 20 something couples. The sushi isn't much to write about and I will probably not be back.
(2)Flix F.
Here's a 1-star in an attempt to bring a little balance: regardless of how good the food is (it's good), this place's schedule (the 3-hour gap in the middle of the day) is plain S-T-U-P-I-D
(1)Andrew L.
I love the idea of conveyor belt sushi. You don't have to wait for your orders, you can be spontaneous, and you can keep an eye on how much you spend easily (by the price to color plates), but there's a trade off. I have been here quite a few times and each time, I would just like to see more variety in the rolls that come by, I would say that 80% of the rolls' main ingredient is imitation crab salad. Don't get me wrong, it's for a fair price and the rolls are packed with it, but when one roll and another is only different by say the color of the masago on the outside, it maybe time to add a lil more. I'm sure there are safety reasons or what not for this overflowing amount of crab versus fish, but that doesn't mean that regular nigiri or other rolls aren't up for grabs. The chefs, just within arms reach at times, can make any of rolls on the menu for you. I like the idea, but it's not very intimate or conducive to groups. If you do go in a group, two people will be on conveyor duty (picking and calling out sushi that's passing by). It's funny at first, but then becomes a chore. This can be overcome by just ordering what you want from a server or the chef near by, but then... why not go to another sushi restaurant? All in all, a good idea, good service, good price, not bad rolls, but just wish there was more to variety in the rolls.
(3)Ron C.
I think Sushi station is da BOMB. I grew up in Hong Kong where initially rotating sushi places were cheap, fish badly sliced and not fresh. But now I see a lot more places that serve GOOOD sushi whenever I go home. Sushi station doesn't look like much at first, cheap decor with a diner feel, but once you look at the menu and then actually see the food, you will be SURPRISED. I didn't want to waste money with the cheap sushi items, so when I ordered stuff like TORO, I was like WOW~! It was definitely on par with places like Mirai and Japonais but for half the price. Their small dishes such as duck breast, and winter miso soup were also delicioso. If you've never been to a place like this, definitely order items from the sushi chef/ waitress and not take the unfresh fish from the line. Like I say about Maxwell Street market, you know a place is good when the cuisine is actually run by the people of that race. I'm not sure but Arlington Heights seems like it has huge Japanese population and that just translates to good food (Mitsuwa, duh!). If you haven't been here or are too lazy to make the trip out here, come now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Dan D.
"Yay! I'm a fan" are my words exactly. It's the best way I can describe. It's not the greatest sushi ever, but its pretty damn good. It all tastes fresh and is the price is good. Although this place is pretty small and gets cramped, the food is really good. The waitstaff is friendly and quick with the orders.
(4)Kelly B.
I actually went to Sushi Station once and had a great time. I went there and I don't even eat any kind of seafood. We got a lot of different plates of food and it was allllllll soooooo good! Our bill was expensive but we did leave with a smile on our faces. We had one complaint was that we were placed kinda by the kitchen and the cooks were hooting and hollering at us! We weren't dressed bad or anything . We were just trying to enjoy our meal. I really wish I would of gotten a better look at the men or I would of complained but I will not have that ruin the fact the food was very good!
(4)Stacey D.
For some reason, it reminds me of a 50s diner. Must be the counter. I like the conveyer belt system, so I can decide as things pass if I'm still hungry, or if I'm feeling daring and try something new. Pictures of everything is on their menu and many of the plates on the belt have signs indicating what they are (vegetable rolls: avocado, cucumber, carrots). Nice to know specifically what I get. I love the plate-color-coded pricing system. It's clear what I'm getting and paying for. The strawberries and cream puffs were surprisingly good. I think they do a nice job of balancing their American and Japanese customers. It got crowded while we were there -- at least 15 people waiting at 1:00 on a Sat afternoon.
(5)Lucy R.
My husband and I got there around 6 pm on a Friday night, and the place was already crowded! They give you a numbered ticket to keep your place in line, but it was only a short 10 minutes til we were seated at the conveyor belt bar. Right away, I noticed the waitstaff is quick and efficient. If you sit at the bar, it is great because you can see your food before you commit, especially if it is your first time dining here. Plus, you can eat right away -- you just open the window and grab the dish you want! The food is neatly organized on the belt, and signs clearly indicate what it is/what ingredients are in the rolls. However, since it is a sushi bar, if you go during the dinner rush on a weekend day, be prepared to sit in close quarters. I would say some of the food was fresh and delicious and other dishes were just so-so. My favorites were: the udon soup, unagi (eel) maki, California maki, seaweed salad and the mixed tempura. My husband loved the Dragon Roll but said the Rock n' Roll maki bordered on having no taste at all. We were too full to try any of the desserts, but they have a good variety from traditional Japanese desserts, like mochi to the untraditional, like flan! At the end, they tab your meal by the colors of the plates--each color has a price associated with it. Overall, I would recommend this place for a quick meal, but be prepared to wait for a table during the dinner rush and don't expect everything on the menu to be above par.
(4)Cindy D.
Came here again last night. Still very very affordable, however we got there at 8 pm and nothing was added to the rotating belt. Overall it was fine since we were able to order everything we wanted - but it's still fun to watch the rotating belt :) Fresh food and gotta love fatty salmon!
(4)Anson P.
This place is great for people who just want to run in and grab some sushi on their own. This is one of those restaurants that is suitable for people who dine alone. I love the refrigerated conveyor belt system. The conveyor belt also has plenty of options circulating. You would expect the staff to ignore you and let you entertain yourself with the belt, but it is not so. The staff is highly attentive and very nice. They greet you when you walk in and say good-bye when you leave in a way such that everyone in the restaurant knows when people come in and when people leave. The sushi is very good and the place is busy even during hours when you would not expect it to be. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Jacqueline S.
I went right before they were closing and the fish and eel tasted off. I have never had such bad sushi before. Some of the other rolls without seafood were fine but a bit too large in size for me (I think sushi rolls should not be so big that it breaks all apart while eating) and didn't taste that great. For good Japanese food in the area I would recommend Sakura Woodfield.
(1)Lee G.
This is by far my favorite sushi restaurant. I've had spicy tuna from a lot of places. I've found they have THE BEST spicy tuna rolls. The portions are good for the price. It helps that they know me by name now too. The only downside is they are quite small and quite busy. Twice I've been subliminally rushed to finish eating so they could seat other guests but this is my only complaint. I've been going here since 2006 and have only once or twice seen them have a below par day. Muah to Aieko if you read this. (lol)
(4)Ellen S.
I saw this place on Check, Please and read the reviews and they said the sushi wasn't that great but I was in that area today so I decided to give it a try anyway. The service was fine, the atmosphere so-so (kind of discount dept store esque) but I decided to give it a shot. A lot of the sushi used imitation crab, which I don't like but they did have snow crab that was pretty good. The tuna and salmon were good. A lot of the rolls had mayo in them and I don't really like mayo but what I did have was pretty good.
(3)MJ E.
Fun, fast, inexpensive, and tasty! Definitely a favorite!
(5)Samantha A.
Sushi station is the best place around to get affordable sushi. The atmosphere isnt bad. All of the waiters/waitresses are nice. The sushi is usually extremely fresh. Many rolls, appetizers, and sushi to chose from. Be careful if youre going near closing time as they will tell you they can not garuntee you a seat or that you will be able to order off the menu. Just tried their take-out last night and we were not disappointed.
(4)D. T.
This place is nothing fancy. Its a quick and decent sushi meal. If you can clearly see a Wal-Mart from where you are dining, you shouldnt expect heaven.
(3)A W.
Reasonably priced, good food. If you are expecting amazing try somewhere else. This place usually has a wait time, especially if you go there with 4+ people. The portions are small (usually 2-4 pieces) so if you don't like it, no big deal! Allows you to try as much or as little as you want without being stuck with the same thing over & over. If you get seated at the end of the belt just ask the server for what you want & they will get it for you so you don't have to hope someone else doesn't take it before you!
(4)Jason A.
We arrived here a few minutes before opening, and there was nobody sitting at any of the tables. We asked to be seated at a table, which is never a problem at the Elgin location, and were told that we would need 1 more person with us to get a table. I explained that my vertigo is triggered when I'm staring directly at the conveyor belt, and that I need a table so that the belt isn't in my field of vision. This is the first time I've ever had to ask for an accommodation because of my vertigo, because nowhere else argues when you ask for a table. We weren't even told sorry, the waitress just walked up to the chairs at the belt, pulled them out, and told us to sit down. I'm sure this won't happen again after I file a complaint for the Americans with Disabilities Act. But maybe I won't bother, maybe I'll just drive to the Elgin location instead. Actually, maybe I'll find somewhere else to get sushi altogether.
(1)Jean Z.
This is a great place for beginners. not too pricy each plate, until you add up that stack at the end. An older lady said that she'd never seen it as busy as it was tonite - we had party of 2, simple, sit us at the counter please! I was suprised to see only one ladies room stall, but rather impressed to find it so clean. ok back to the sushi. the train goes by and you have your choice of all sorts of goodies, some really great rolls and the tuna was really good. If you oops like we did, you'll find yourself paying for a $4 plate of cold octopus. gross. anyway - the masago was yummy - the rolls varied. The seaweed salad (whats it called?) was sweet and crunchy. when you go here, parties of 3 or more get tables - everyone else gets a counter seat. try to keep your coat on the inside of your chair as they tuck your ticket in the back of your seat. the front counter seemed a bit cluttered and dusty - maybe i should call and mention that. party of 2 very stuffed white girls, with only one wasted expenditure: $49.00. seems fair. great fun time, nice crowd. in the same building as cariboo coffee, north of golf road on the west side of algonquin. enjoy! - oh yea, if you dont see something you want, speak up! they'll run some strawberries right over to you!
(4)Scott G.
I visit this sushi station once or twice a week for lunch. The sushi is always fresh, despite being delivered by conveyor and the prices are extremely reasonable. If you go during the lunch rush there are even special discounts on some popular dishes. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because at this point they really need to look into a larger location. It can be difficult to get in and out of here in the span of a lunch hour unless you get right to work as soon as you are seated. The wait for a table can be 15-20 minutes sometimes. All things considered, it is absolutely the way to experience sushi! I'm considering heading over for lunch after writing this review.
(4)Patrick E.
This place is perfect for impatient eaters! The food is right there for you to grab when you are seated. it's fresh and fairly priced.
(5)Q C.
Food is good, not the best sushi I've had but far from the worst. The wait staff is really fast and nice. Some of the stuff on the belt looked kinda like it was on there all day so I stayed away from it and ordered from the waitress. Would go here again if I was in the area and wanted sushi. Nothing special about this place really other than the belt of sushi rolling by you.
(3)Leocris L.
oh man! such a fun place to grab (literally) some sushi! it gets pretty busy, which kinda sucks, but it's definitely worth the wait if you're never been. not a good place to bring a big party. 5 is tight, more than that, you'll get split up. you may think that the prices are pretty cheap, because you pay by the saucer. it does add up though. me being a huge fan of japanese food, i could easily spend 30-40 bucks here just on the food. "spicy" tuna is my fav, but it's not that spicy.
(4)Jerome J.
Fresh, tasty nigiri sushi and rolls. Somehow they seem to have the tastiest deliciously fatty cuts of fish like super white escolar, fatty salmon and fatty yellowtail and lots of tasty funky rolls. Color-coded plates make it easy to figure out the bill and they have specials for lunch and dinner monday through thursday. Grabbing your food from the rotating conveyor belt is fun, but if you don't see what you want for a while, you can always order through your server. We're there almost every week, and keep coming back.
(4)Emaan K.
My friend took me here, and I was a little iffy about it up until the moment I sat down. Even though it was packed, we were seated in 15 minutes (they work fast). Honestly, the second I saw that conveyor belt cool-ness, I was bought. I seriously wanted to grab everything, but then I realized once you grab it, you absolutely CANNOT put it back even if you barely touched it. There's a menu, too, in case you want to change the regular rolls in any way (ex: no tobiko/fish eggs), but it comes pretty fast. My friend ordered a shrimp tempura with no tobiko, and it came in under 2 minutes. This place is pretty cheap, but it obviously depens on how much you get. I took some home for my fiance, so my total ended up being about 20. Half a star off because the sushi itself isn't AMAZING, but it's still good. A lot better than Chi-Tung's sushi (blah!) As for service, I see people complain about it, but I loved it. The hostess was really nice, and the waiters were always around making sure we had everything we needed at all times. My diet coke was always refilled, and the check came as soon as they asked us if we were done. The other half star off is because I felt rushed at the end as I was gathering my things and getting my wallet since they stand over you. I mean, I get it, you guys are fast, but seriously, give me 2 seconds to just pick up my doggie bag.
(4)Brady H.
We've gone many times since my earlier review, but last night we noticed prices have gone up. For example, the cheapest plate is now $1.25 - that is a 25% increase for my tomago and saba!!! The place is still fun, but just doesn't seem to be as great a bargain. They are trying to go more upscale and for $1 on top of the standard plate price, you can have one of several "toppings." All I'm saying is the price/quality ratio has diminished with the recent price increases.
(4)Esther K.
i love this place! it is so delicious! they really need to get new covers for the plates, because about half of them are cracked. godzilla rolls, pheonix rolls and the tempura rolls are definitely a favorite! the biggest issue is waiting for an open seat. good luck to anyone trying to find one... try to come here during lunch hours otherwise you'll be crying when you see your check.
(4)Will C.
Great place for a genuine sushi experience. Good price and a great selection.
(5)Robert S.
Great food good prices. Reminds me of a few places I have been to in Tokyo. DON'T be afraid to special order something.
(5)Sabrina P.
It's affordable, organized, and satisfies my sushi cravings. The conveyor belt idea is fun and creative!
(4)Andie W.
If you're on a go and in the mood for sushi, this is your place! The novelty of the restaurant is what keeps this place moving. Think buffet style, food is served on a conveyor belt from the kitchen. It's actually quite neat because you don't have to bother your waitress, only for misc. things like refills on your drinks. It's nice because as soon as you are seated you can start eating, you don't have to wait to order. I do suggest not going during peak hours, it can get quite full since there aren't that many tables. And if you have a large group ( five or more), forget about this place, it'll take a while to get accommodated. Overall: Cleanliness: A Food: A Prices: A Service: A --------------------- Grade: A
(4)Michael M.
I discovered Sushi Station since I had to go two doors down to the Gamestop to buy my Xbox 360 a couple months ago. God, am I glad I found this place! It is too awesome. The sushi is excellent and I found that everything was priced fairly. My girlfriend and I had a filling sushi dinner for about $13 a piece after tax. I tried a bunch of different dishes and not one was disappointing. Plus, we had green tea ice cream for dessert and they were only $1 a piece. How can you beat that? And hey, your food comes on a conveyor belt and you get to see the fish prepared right there by the chefs. The fun factor of that alone is worth heading out to Rolling Meadows for a visit. Sushi Station is now my official sushi place.
(5)Kwoky L.
Sushi Station is my go-to place for the freshest sushi in town. Pick ready made sushi from the conveyor belt section and order whatever that's not available from the menu. They will freshly make them and deliver them right to your table. They also have more interesting choices compared to other sushi restaurants. My favorites are grand fatty tuna (O-toro) that melts in your mouth, the juiciest white tuna, and sea urchin. Mmm...
(5)T N.
I have lived in the Chicago area for almost 4 years. I have lived all over the country eating sushi. I have traveled to Tokyo on vacation and ate sushi almost every day for a week. I have been to the largest fish market in Tokyo to see 800 pound tuna flown in the night before sold on the auction block in the AM. Sushi is easy to find. Good sushi is hard to find. Great sushi in a traditional Japanese style restaurant is almost impossible, until I went to Sushi Station. This is in the top three best sushi restaurants I have been to in the United States. The conveyor belt and colored plate system is probably the best way to try the different pieces you want, without having to buy a 6-8 piece roll of something that wasn't that good. You get 2 - 4 pieces per plate on a continuous conveyor belt that is always loaded with fresh pieces that move right by your table. Just open the door for the belt, grab your plate and enjoy. No waiting for the waitress to swing by, no long ticket line up for the sushi chef to get to your order, and great fresh fish. And if you don't see what you want, just ask and they will make it for you. Want to try something different, there is little commitment because you get a couple of pieces to taste. The spicy scallops were excellent. The Otoro was extremely fresh. The staff was attentive to point of almost hovering, but they had a large number of staff on at the lunch hour to keep things moving. The only downside is that the restaurant should be larger. We got there early enough to get a table right away, but it fills quickly and the wait builds quickly. Also, the biggest table only seats 6 or 7, so don't expect them to put any tables together for a large group. If you want a light club experience with dim lights for a romantic evening, don't go here. If you want great sushi in a true Japanese style restaurant, this is the place to go. Great food. Great staff. Reasonably priced. We were in and out in 30 minutes.
(5)Tricia Mia P.
So I've been to classier sushi places with better tasting sushi BUT I like this place because it is convenient and cheap. I get to sushi station at 9:45PM to grab my little to go box or at 11:30 AM for lunch specials. It keeps me satisfied until the weekend when I can explore sushi joints in the city. The staff here is hit or miss. I was once told by a staff member that I cannot have my own bottle of water because the boss gets angry (even tho I ordered JUST water anyway... BUT mine was filtered ^_^ ). They tend to rush you so the next group can sit and eat and pay and go... Yea it's a fast pace eating experience... I dont mind it because I dont like to be squeezed between people and fight my way for some space...
(4)Phil R.
Sushi station is conveyor style sushi. You sit and pick your plates off the belt. There is very little wait for food and the food is delicious. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable. I would defiantly recommend this for a casual sushi dinner. Yum!!
(5)Nikki C.
SS is like the hot slutty whore in the club that everyone oogles and when you finally get your chance to "dance" with her, she steps on your foot with her 6 inch stilletos and you limp away and begin to wish you never even met her.(unless you're into the pain thing, then have at it) Cute concept, great customer service, pretty food. too bad the rice tasted off and since sushi is all about the "rice", my $20 meal after tax and tip was the worst "rice job" I ever paid for. Cheap and "quickies" aka fast fish are adjectives that really don't belong in the sentence containing sushi. mitsuwa FTW if you're in the hood jonesing for some rice and fish plus they close at 2pm to reopen at 5pm so if its even close to 1.30pm don't bother as the kitchen closes early.
(2)Lynn B.
Definitely a place for entry-level sushi. The idea of sushi on a conveyor belt seemed appealing and fun but it stops there. I would only recommend this place if you are a first-time sushi eater and would like to try cheap sushi with some variety. Otherwise, if you enjoy fresh, quality sushi, AVOID this place. It is not worth the 30 minute wait or the money at all. I would not go back.
(2)Gaby C.
Good sushi. Don't sit in the back , seems like it takes forever for the sushi to come around, and by the time the one you want comes along, its empty. I like that I don't have to "wait" for my food, but I don't know how fresh it is or how long its been rotating. Fun experience and great prices. I will go back. Friendly staff, clean place and excellent prices.
(3)Maureen C.
When I am craving sushi, this place delivers. Literally. On a conveyor belt. HA-ha. =D Sushi is decent for the price (who can bet $1.25 plates??). Granted it's not the fanciest sushi or the prettiest but who cares? For the price, I'll take it. I usually go during the lunchtime hours -- gets busy and crowded. What's great is that I don't have to wait for my food, I just grab it from the conveyor belt, eat to my heart's desire, and pay up (usually very cheap bill!).
(3)Roberto F.
Probably one of my favorite places to grab sushi in the suburbs. Sure you could say it's the novelty of the little tram that comes around with all the different rolls but it's more then that. The sushi is always fresh and the limited operation times for lunch and the crowd that's in there always guarantees freshly made rolls, which is followed up by great taste. The wait staff are extremely nice and help you to find proper seating for your party and tend to your table to make sure you have everything you need. Also if you don't see a roll you want on the line you can always ask them to make it for you which is a definite bonus when this place gets packed. Side note: This places does get packed for lunch but if you get there when they open it's usually not to bad. If you do happen to get there when it's busy you usually don't have to wait for to long. Also 4-5 deep is the most one table can handle.
(4)Hoang L.
Fast, Fresh, Affordable, and Fun?! Have you ever seen their commercial? (download from their official website). Makes me laugh! =D Fast. Yes. Fresh. No. Affordable. Not really. Fun. Yes. This place was fun when I went, but the quality of the sushi was just not there. I like the idea, but I feel like it's dim sum for lazy people. How fresh can sushi be it's been rolling around the restaurant all day? And what if you were seated at the end of the belt, you'd be stuck with all the sushi nobody wanted? But I should give it more credit, for those craving for sushi and in a rush, this place is probably for you. However, I like taking my time and savoring each bite over a bottle of wine when I'm having sushi. But that's just me.
(2)Jasmyn K.
WILDFIRE ROLL! Num num one of the best rolls I have ever had, maybe its the blow torching that makes it so appealing to me but I heart it! This place is fun and good for cheap but average sushi...I took my 11 year old brother here and he loved the conveyor belt concept. I generally order a lot of the menu so that you know you are getting freshly made rolls, some of them look a little stale at times. I would stay away from the (sorry I don't have the best sushi etiquette) non roll items, just the big piece of fish on rice, nigiri? That did not seem to taste too fresh or as "buttery" as other sushi places. But not a bad place to go when you want to eat for under $20 a person!
(4)Amy A.
So we stumbled into this place after going to Mitsuwa about 2 months ago. (Off topic, but Mitsuwa has the WORST sushi ever, btw. You would think that it would be the best place since it's a Japanese store...but unless you like a big ball of vinegar rice with gross fish...just skip this place.) Anyway, we went to sushi station for dinner after shopping. We were sat relatively quickly (about a 15 minute wait). The sushi and other items travel along a conveyer (covered with a dome) and you open your little door and grab what you want. Quick, good, fresh, not vinegary. We have a winner! I like that you can see the sushi before you grab it. You can avoid the ones that were done a little skimpy, or the ones that had been sitting out for awhile. Don't see what you like? Your server can order it from the kitchen for you! Our favorites are the negitoro gunkan (I can order about 10 of these...so good!), honey salmon (expensive, but yum!), and the cooked egg (for the kiddo who doesn't eat other sushi). Since our discovery 2 months ago, we probably go here once or twice a week despite having to drive 20 minutes to get there.
(5)Janet X.
Oh my God, how have I not reviewed this before? Out of all the restaurants in the Chicagoland area, I think Sushi Station is probably the one I've come back to again and again. Pros: - CONVEYOR BELT. This makes it the ideal place to take someone who is relatively new at eating sushi, because they get to see what the roll looks like BEFORE they order it. They also have a large selection of cooked seafood rolls, such as tempura shrimp and crab salad. - Menu. If you don't see what you want, they can still make any of 40 different rolls for you. - Quick and easy. Unlike a lot of other restaurants, Sushi Station can get you in and out in 45 minutes or less, perfect if you have errands to run. - Delicious sushi. Enough said. Cons: - Sometimes the variety on the conveyor belt leaves much to be desired. But then and again, that's where the menu comes in. - Some of the stuff is WAAAAAY overpriced. Four strawberries for $4? A small thumbful of edamame for $3? However, if you stick to the sushi itself, it's a lot more affordable than a lot of other places. - Sometimes the fish isn't the freshest, and they do tend to overuse mayo.
(4)Erik H.
You'd think that a restaurant premised on a gimmick would not have the best food, but in reality this kind of restaurant isn't a gimmick in Japan; quite the opposite, in fact. It's an easy, cheap and popular way of eating sushi that offers the least amount of interaction between server and patron. Sushi Station brings this mechanical take on a decidedly Japanese concept to the U.S., successfully importing the union of freshness and simplicity that Japanese customers are used to. The food here ranges from typical nigiri sushi and classic rolls to Sushi Station-specific creations (they keep trying to make spicier and spicier rolls, perhaps for their American and increasingly Latin audience) to more off the wall items such as shark fin and jellyfish salad. Any of these you can simply grab off the conveyor belt, and it's simple to determine the price with the color-coded plates. It can be dangerously easy to overspend here, so I try to set a limit for myself (usually $10-$15) and stick to it. Check out the menu too, because there are some delicious specialty rolls that they don't put on the conveyor; I like the Godzilla Roll myself. Overall, the experience is authentic and fun and the food is good. 5 stars!
(5)Will K.
I love the hispanic guy who clears the tables and yells "table open!". Just thought i'd throw that in there. It cracks me up, every time. Especially while i'm waiting. And yes, do prepare to wait, particularly if you're coming in during their crunch hours. I will say, it is worth it if you're a fan of sushi and especially conveyer belt sushi. The quality of the sushi is kept fresh by their refrigerated belts, and the selection all taste great. For the price, speed, and quality of the menu items here, it is a great experience and something everyone should try. If you're visual and new to sushi, take a look, grab a plate, open mouth, and engage at will!
(4)Apple S.
Do you ever get full when you eat out for sushi? I know I don't. That why I love, love, love this place. There is no place like Sushi Station. Too bad it takes my boyfriend and I 30-40 minutes to get there depending on traffic. We never travel long distance for food but for Sushi Station we do. There's nothing like food on a conveyor that comes to you as soon as you sit down. You don't have to wait for the server to order your food and than have to wait until your food comes out. I just like the whole concept! They're food is good except for the Mexican rolls! I felt ripped off. It felt like eating a fraction of a taco ... NOT GOOD! Anyways, other than the Mexican rolls. Sushi station is cheap and fills you up like no other sushi restaurant does.
(4)Dana A.
Sushi Station is SUCH a great concept. Apparently lots of sushi places in Japan use the same method, basically eliminating the waiter and using a conveyor belt to distribute the food, but it is the only one in this area that I know of. I've never had an issue with the service at sushi station. They are always nice and speedy However I do feel rushed when there are people waiting. While the place is small, I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a seat, nor have I spent more than a half hour at the restaurant at a time. I would suggest skipping Sushi Station if there are more than two of you, as there are only a few tables. Two people works great. You sit down, take what you want, eat it & leave. They are efficient when it comes to things you order, and the overall process is very quick. It is a little cramped when seated around the conveyor belt, but nothing that makes me feel too uncomfortable. Unfortunately the conveyor belt concept and the speed are the only pros. The sushi quality is like that McDonalds is to hamburgers or Taco Bell is to mexican food. If you have kids or people that are new to sushi, this makes it a great place to take them because it there is a lot of newbie friendly choices, it is relatively inexpensive, and you aren't there for a long time. Being able to see the food also makes it a lot easier for people new to sushi. It is rice-heavy, which newbies tend to like. Also, trying one or two pieces of each roll is preferable when just starting out, and sushi station is probably the only place in the area where you can afford to not eat what you've chosen if you don't like it. While these attributes of Sushi Station are great for inexperienced sushi-eaters, these are all cons to those that enjoy "real" sushi. The amount of rice is at least twice of what it should be. I don't eat sushi for the rice, I eat it for the good stuff! Nigiri pieces are on the small side. Their tempura crumbs always taste REALLY stale. Overall, take a person whose never had sushi before here for a quick, inexpensive taste, but if you are a regular sushi eater - skip it.
(2)Paul C.
The kids love being in charge of lifting the door and grabbing sushi from the belt. Food quality is pretty good but they do get crowded and the wait can be a drag. All in all a fun time
(4)D. C.
Really fun concept and reasonably priced if you pay some attention to your plate choices. Spent $23 (after tax) for two people and I know I was plenty stuffed. Plates were predominantly pink or blue so it didn't feel like you had to be too cautious about the price adding up quickly. The highest priced plates (yellow and purple) were almost non-existent when I went--I don't even recall seeing a single purple plate. The variety was far better than I expected and, during the hour we were there, new things were constantly appearing--nigiri, maki, appetizers even desserts. I do love me some froofy maki rolls and was not disappointed by taste or selection as far as those went. Considered ordering some of the half sized rolls on the menu, but was just too stuffed to do so--maybe next time. The cream puffs were awful; absolutely no taste to the chocolate syrup and the puffs themselves tasted old and freezer burned. I'd go back, particularly to introduce other fellow sushi lovers to the novelty of kaiten zushi. Otherwise, the sushi seemed to be of average quality but still very enjoyable.
(3)Rita B.
So, we wanted to go out with my family for sushi to celebrate my birthday. I have eaten at sushi station before when my husband and I were still living in Chicago because of the fun atmosphere of grabbing the food from a train and just enjoying it, but what I experienced today was THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I EVER EXPERIENCED. We walked in with a party of 5 but we were still waiting for my sister and her boyfriend who were on the way. We walked in and informed the host that they are on their way so we can grab a table and munch on some food. He said that THEY WILL NOT give us a table because they have to see the whole party at one time and if we will grab a table for 5, then we won't be able to join the parties. BS I asked why is it like that and all I got was "IT IS A COMPANY POLICY" and they can't change it. Oh well it was the best place to go before now DO NOT go there. How does it make a difference to see the other people before they will give us a table? They told me that they TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT NEED OUR BUSINESS I responded that now they won't get any!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My dad was eating there for 8 years but after that I DO NOT WANT ANYONE to go there.
(1)Michelle C.
This place is fun, you get as much as you want, appeals to many different tastes. Sure its not Katsu quality or something, but still fun and delicious! I love this place, just go on an off day otherwise there is a wait!
(4)iddells E.
Great place to go to if you want quick, decent sushi at a good price. My bf and I weren't starving when we came to eat here here, so the bill was pretty low. We got 5 small plates of sushi and paid only 15 bucks. But, if we were really hungry, we'd eat much more and break the bank. If that were the case, I'd rather go to House of Sushi and Noodles, where it's just one flat price for all you can eat. Anyways, I loooove the concept of the conveyor belt. It's so exciting! If there's a particular roll that you want but isn't on the belt, just ask one of the servers and they'd be glad to get it for you. Also, they practically give you unlimited ginger. There's a box of it right in front of you, great for those who love ginger. It was a fun experience and I'd love to return!
(4)Ashley H.
First off, I'm kind of a sushi 'snob'. I had the opportunity to live in Japan for 4 months, though, so I can't help it. You haven't had good sushi until you've had it IN Japan. That said, I was super excited to go to a kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurant because my hubby and I had loved them so much when we were in Osaka. The atmosphere was just like the ones in Japan, which brought back a lot of great memories. Unfortunately, the sushi wasn't all that fresh. We did find quite a few decent rolls, though, just not quite the quality I would have liked. Again... sushi snob. For a restaurant in a strip mall in America, it wasn't so bad. I'm sure we will go back again and hopefully take friends (we just won't go on a Sunday as fish tends to be less fresh on the weekends anyway). Did you know that sushi actually means "with rice"? Most people think it has to do with raw fish, but that's not the case. And now you know. Sincerely, Sushi Snob
(3)Scott C.
Sushi Station provides conveyer belt sushi at a very reasonable price. The sushi dishes (usually 2 pieces of nigiri or 4 rolls) are reasonably priced anywhere from $.50 to $4.50 per plate. It's very simple - take what you want to eat and then pay for it by the plate. They had a great deal of salmon and spicy tuna rolls, nigiri and variations of both. In particular there was one spicy tuna roll with jalapeno and chili sauce that was excellent. Very spicy but also provided different flavors when you ate the roll. Depending on the wait, you can get in and out of this restaurant very quickly - provided that the sushi of your choice comes around on the conveyer belt frequently enough. I'd recommend to sit at the sushi bar (for lack of a better description) and pick out your own dishes - since if you sit at a table, the people closest to the conveyer belt have to retrieve the sushi plates for everyone.
(3)Kammie G.
Sushi Station! I've always heard people talking about it but I've never tried it.. until last night. I've never experienced a Sushi conveyor belt place. But it was really cool! It gave the place a much more authentic feel and atmosphere. They have many types of sushi, appetizers, and desserts. I only tried the sushi, none of the other funky stuff.. The sushi was really good! I like that there was not too many pieces on a place, so that way I got to eat many different kinds in one sitting. I like to switch it up quite a lot. Haha. I LOVED that they had a whole bucket of pickled ginger and Lite Soy Souce. AWesome! I love both, and I liked that I didn't have to keep asking the staff for new ones like I usually would. I just like the taste of the pickle ginger... Prices are really good and you get to get stuffed for a small price. I highly recommend the place. The only reason it's lacking 1 star is because of the size of the place (it's small) and there's usually quite a wait. And it's a little cramped. But other than that... good place. Definitely coming back soon.
(4)Zo O.
I've eaten here numerous times, but I guess I never got around to writing a review! I like to take friends here because it's a novelty sushi place(sushi on conveyor belt). I definitely pace myself when I eat here, so I actually enjoy my food anddd I actually don't eat as much as I normally would because I get to taste a bit of everything, which gets me unusually full. It's kind of hard to find.... it's tucked in a mall plaza with a few other random eateries. A bit out of my way, but I'd say it's worth the experience.
(4)Jenny K.
I love this place. It is just like a little hole in the wall strip mall restaurant but the experience is great. Come as close to opening as possible because there is usually a wait...I enjoy the ambiance of this place...I like the music, the people watching and of course, the sushi! As everyone notes, the sushi comes to you via conveyor belt and you can choose what you want from the moment you sit down. You can also order any of the items off the menu whether they are already on the conveyor belt or not. They also have nice small portions of fruit and dessert to enjoy. We can drop a bit of money when we go here, but probably because we treat it like a buffet and eat until we are stuffed. I love sushi station!
(5)Georgene M.
I love sushi station! Very casual and not the place to come if you want a long sit down meal but for a casual dining experience, delicious and affordable food, it's great!!! I come here all the time and they're always fairly busy. Sometimes there is a wait but it's usually not too long and always worth it :)
(5)Maya Y.
My family and I love this restaurant because you get to choose which items you want and pay only for the sushi you choose in typical "kaitenzushi" style. It's not exactly Tokyo's Tsukiji, but it is one of the few places my parents (who are very fastidious foodies when it comes to gourmet Japanese food; they both grew up in Tokyo) find acceptable for sushi. The sashimi slices in the nigiri pieces are generously thick. If you're concerned about the quality of your sushi (or wondering how long the sushi's been rolling round and round on the conveyer belt), you are given the option of ordering off the menu. A waiter will bring your freshly made items to your table. Here are some of my favorite nigiri items: -Negitoro nigiri -Hamachi nigiri -White tuna nigiri -classic tekka roll -Maguro nigiri -Ikura (though I've rarely had this here). Dessert options include whatever that is rotating on the conveyor belt, green tea ice cream off the menu (or azuki ice cream if I recall correctly), etc. I highly recommend this place and it's popular among Japanese people besides my own family as well. The bill typically came out to be $20/person. I find this place to be benign for non-sushi enthusiasts, since you can sample small portions or platefuls without wasting too much food in the event you don't like something. They also offer Japanese-style fried chicken on the menu, which is probably one of the least offensive dishes one can imagine that happens to be on a typical Japanese menu (among non-sushi items), which my family occasionally orders, along with potstickers (gyoza), edamame appetizer, etc. Service: N/A (mostly self-serve) but it wasn't offensively bad or anything worth grading. Taste: B+
(4)Jean C.
Sushi Station has been around for a while and when I lived in Arlington Heights, I would come here occasionally. I love the conveyor belt with the different plates of sushi. The plates are color coded and each color represents a price. If you don't see something you want, you can definitely place an order with the chefs. The variety is nice and I've never had a problem getting what I want. A word of caution though. It's easy to rack up a high bill when you start eating! So the moral of the story is, be mindful of the plates as they stack up and the color of plates!
(4)Steven N.
With the mindset of going there for the novelty of the conveyor belt style sushi and you'll be adequately satisfied with this place. If you're expecting high quality sushi, service, or decor, you'll leave disappointed. The servers are not rude, and the food is ok, but just have the correct expectation for a place that has a conveyor belt. =) We went there at around 1pm on a Saturday and the place was still pretty packed (though it's not a very big place). I must say that we were pretty impressed by the number of selections, however, this doesn't necessarily mean we were impressed by selections. The more traditional sushi were ok, but the "new age / fusion" rolls just didn't sound or look appetizing. We were very impressed by their scallops though...along with their shrimp tempura...the shrimp tempura's batter was perfectly done...one of the best we ever had.
(2)n l.
I can never get enough of sushi, so I pretty much hit up every sushi joint possible. The sushi here is made and goes around on a conveyor belt. You can just take whatever you want and they total your tab by the dishes you've collected. I would probably come back if I needed a quick sushi fix when shopping in Schaumburg, but probably wouldn't plan a meal here if I had time to look for a restaurant.. The sushi is good, but not as fresh as I'm used to or flavored with as much care as I love..
(3)Jay N.
I've been here a few times with friends and I have a hard time understanding why I end up going with them here. The quality of the fish is poor. It's typically been sitting out for a while due to the avocado color change, warmth of "fresh" fish, and toughness of rice. Although they previously used to leave it open for 1 round and then cover it, now they leave it covered from the beginning. The prices are not that high, but the value is pretty poor. None of the maki have more than one type of fish and they are pretty well doused in sauce. The wasabi is not fresh as it is from a package. Considering the multitude of other options out there, I don't think it is worth anybody's time to wait for a seat, let alone spend their money here.
(1)Gregory B.
Better than it has any business being. I eat until I'm sick, sad to say, and wind up spending what I would have at a "better" place. Yeah, I've had higher quality sushi, but not at anywhere near this price.
(5)Matthew B.
ok.... after reading the reviews on here, people are pretty spoiled. At the price point ( avg $20-25) per person, for pretty good sushi, is pretty friggin good. Yes, they have a conveyer belt... but that just has SOME of the standard food they offer. You dont have to eat off of that, if you dont want to... they have whats called a 'menu' there.. i know, crazy huh. The way I do it, is to order some of the specialty rolls off of the menu. This way, it comes super fresh and you dont have to wait for that item via the conveyor belt. Then, eat the standard stuff ( philly rolls, nigri, salmon rolls, etc) that comes around often. Its pretty fresh, esp since the system is all refrigerated. The sushi itself? yeah, pretty damn good and very reasonable.For this price point and quality sushi, I should slap anyone who complains? dont like it? then go somewhere else and spend double. pffff
(4)Chuck S.
If you like assemby line food in a crowded setting this is the place for you! This conveyor concept might work in large crowded cities where people compete to get some lunch quickly but it has no ambience. Table are for for three or more. Reminds me of a NYC cafeteria at lunchtime, or maybe lunch on a 777, The food is OK with many choices but counter space is limited. The bimbo next to me hardly had room for one or two small plates and her cell phone which she worked over the entire meal. There are several other good sushi restaurants in the area, Tensuke and Mitsuwa are better choices without the automat concept. I did enjoy the Udon soup which I ordered from one of the servers. My wife and I were in and out in less that 1/2 hour.
(2)Kelly E.
My favorite place for sushi!!! Not only is it great, it's cheap! Spicy Tuna Roll IS the best they got! Love the conveyor belt. Just wish it was as big as Elgin's location! (which is always dead!)
(5)Insun M.
3 star prices for 2 star quality sushi. I was super excited to eat here because its not everyday that you can pick your food off a conveyer belt. That excitement lasted for about 5 minutes. Raw fish is the sort of thing that you want very good quality for which Sushi Station doesn't satisfy. Go for the experience but don't expect to be wowed.
(2)Theresa S.
Nobody beats Sushi Station for quality, selection or price. Their portions are very large, always taste glorious, and always satisfy. Lunch specials are phenomenal and the wait isn't bad at all most weekdays. Weekends, do expect a wait. It is worth every minute! Their staff is friendly and eager to please, always greet you and send you off with gusto and if you become a regular, believe me, they know you. I enjoy watching the intricate dance the staff performs when we are there. I suppose most people wouldn't notice it, but they are masterful and graceful and completely efficient. You only see this in restaurants with an established, dedicated and seasoned staff. I love this place, love love love it, and if two weeks go by without at least a take-out order, I'm a sad little person. My husband loves it just as much and our preschooler flat out adores their Philly rolls! Great selection of fruit too for kids who don't like sushi. And their desserts are quite nice! It's a winner with the whole family and usually with friends we take there to lose their sushi virginity :)
(5)Kev G.
First time here with family of 4. Everyone found dishes they enjoyed. We will be back!!
(4)Lisa C.
Sushi on a conveyor belt! Need I say more? Quality of sushi is pretty good for its price. Bascially different type of sushi, salads and dessert rotates around and you grab whatever you like. Each plate color is a different price. Plates are not taken away as you clear them. WHY? Cuz that's how they calculate your bill! So it turns into a game of how high is your stack of plates? There are items that are not on the belt and have to order those off the menu - such as hand rolls and some dessert items. I will be back.
(4)Marnie R.
When I lived in Chicago 5 years ago I stumbled upon this gem. Don't take this the wrong way, it isn't, in my opinion, the best sushi ever, but it is my favorite sushi place, ever. I feel like most sushi places are either so-so getting by because they are capable of rolling sushi or they are oh-so-amazing but pretentious and pricey. Sushi station is dependably great sushi at an affordable price. Listed below are the reasons why I am ever so impressed, in no particular order. 1. There is always something new to try - They are constantly trying creating rolls I couldn't have imagined on my own. I simply love watching the rolls stroll by as I decide which I will try first. 2. They always have my staples They include: -Nigi Toro (fatty tuna with green onion. Served Gukan style) -Hanako (crunchy, sweet with onion, a little mayo and cream cheese) i can't eat more than two of these, so I'm especially glad this one comes on a small place with two pieces. -Mexican Roll (if you like a fresh, spicy roll, try the Mexican roll, it will not disappoint) 3. I can try something new and I can a. see it before I try it (you've been there when you get a roll and it is NOTHING like you imagined) b. try it in smaller quantities. No spending $16 on a roll that was only so-so. 4. Speed- You can be in and out in 20 minutes or you can go in with friends and spend hours. I used to go for lunch breaks and it made me so happy get good sushi without taking an hour and a half lunch. 5. Great place to bring beginners. We all have friends that have never tried it and are nervous about it. Sushi station is the perfect place to bring your friend who wants to give it a whirl. 6. I personally was there so much (great sushi at a great price, you bet I'll be there often) while I lived nearby I got to know one of the chefs. It is a must to go there when I'm in Chicago, but it is not as often as I'd like. (I think there was a 2 year lapse at one time) The last time I went in, the chef remembered me and made it a point to come out and say hello. The food is great, but having a service-orientated staff that values loyal customers from years ago is something that is hard to come by. As I stated earlier, this isn't the best sushi I've ever eaten in my life. I've been fortunate to have sushi at some of the finer sushi establishments. You typically pay a price for that. If you're looking for great sushi and a great price. Some place you can go to often, this is it. If you're looking for something a more intimate in this area, I also recommend Wild Fish Sushi.
(5)Julia P.
Good food, great prices. I love the conveyor belt style serving, and there is a huge variety.
(4)Dean D.
Love this place! Great sushi, and decently priced! I like getting smaller portions so I can try a greater variety of rolls. You can catch the chefs cut up the fish in the middle. My favorite roll: The magma roll!
(4)Rachel H.
Sushi in a conveyor belt...done by many over and over and over again. You pay for the sushi based on the color of the plate. The pieces itself are quite small, but good. The Jelly fish with shark fin was surprisingly very salty. The smoked salmon,spicy tuna and dragon roll were excellent. I spotted chocolate dipped strawberries, cheese cake and Chocolate cakes drenched in some "white sauce" in the conveyor. I can't comment on them, I didn't try any. The wait staff is very attentive. Hot tea was being refilled, napkins replenished even before you request for it. I will definitely try this place again if I am in the neighborhood.
(3)Kimberly F.
Sushi on a conveyor belt?! Does it get cooler than that?! My husband and I went to Sushi Station for dinner the other night. We were sat within about 8 seconds of walking in. We made eye contact with one server who pointed us towards another who sat us in the blink of an eye. Nice assembly line system. The coolest thing ever was watching the sushi scoot on by us on the conveyor belt. They have an easy color-coded pricing system, and it's ridiculously reasonable. Where else are you going to find a $5 spider roll? Due to the nature of this business -- the whole revolving sushi bar thing -- the sushi is not the best I've had, but certainly not the worst either. It is what it is and the quality of everything we tried was great. Sushi Station is great for groups since you can just grab whatever you want. There are also hot items available to order through your server. They're reasonably priced as well. Is this the best sushi? Definitely not. Is it convenient? Absolutely! Is it better than average? You betcha! (at least in our experience) I'll definitely be back to show my friends just how awesome this place is.
(4)Sarah M.
I like this place. A lot. I've been coming here for a few years now, so I feel comfortable addressing a few of the trends I've seen in the reviews of others. A lot of people here like to say things like "the sushi was cheap, but the flavor was mediocre" and "I've had better elsewhere but for the price you can't argue." Now, think of when you go to a place like Little Caesars... the pizza is ok, kinda bready but for $5 who gives a shit? It's not Gino's or Lou Malnati's, but it's cheap and sufficient if you just want to satisfy a craving without spending too much. This is what Sushi Station is for sushi. Is exotic? No. Is it good if you just want to enjoy a nice, inexpensive dinner? Absolutely. A 4-6 piece roll starts around $2.25-3.25, so you can make it a cheap meal. Or you can stay a while and try a lot of things, and spend more. You have the freedom to be flexible here, people. So don't spend $60 on a meal for two, and say this place is pricey... because you probably got a crapload of food for that $60. Who cares if the food is made by Mexicans?!?! This is the dumbest, most racist reason to not like this place. If this is an actual issue for you, you should probably just go to the Old Country Buffet across the parking lot and stay there. Four stars instead of five, because I wish there were more tables instead of bar seats. Odds are good you'll end up seated between teenagers who mumble loudly and endlessly, and people who eat their sushi with forks... and pour soy sauce over their rolls.
(4)Ana M.
I'm not a HUGE sushi eater, matter of fact the first time I had sushi was here so that just comes to show how little I know of sushi. Anywho I liked what I had here, so if you have friends who have never had sushi bring them here, it's affordable and it tastes good. It's a bit far from the city but if ever come by woodfield mall it's 5 mins from there.
(4)Lisa G.
While I enjoy dining here, when I go for lunch I feel rushed and think the wait staff is pushy! I like to not swallow my sushi. I did let them know after asking if I wanted my check 2 times I would let them know when I was done!! Foods great but service is rude.
(4)Kathy O.
Some coworkers invited me to join them for lunch at Sushi Station. I had seen it around but didn't realize it was a place to eat within the mini-mall. I am glad I went with them as I was confused how it worked, until my coworkers told me. The sushi, fruit and dessert items were fresh and good. This is like a buffet but the food goes in a circle around the seating area on a covered conveyor belt type of thing. Then you pick what you want. The plates are color coded for pricing which is listed in front of you. The waiter removes any garbage from your table, but leaves the color plates to charege appropriately at the end. You can order items from waiter too if you don't see it on the belt or you want something from the menu. Lots of good food for great price!
(4)Dan N.
OK what I'll call a starter Sushi place, every thing seems fresh and tastes OK...but thats the issue nothing ever really stands out. There is nothing I ever say ohhh lets got to Sushi Station and get that!!! Fun atmosphere for newbes but more experienced eaters will want to stay clear. This is the place to take you parents from Iowa too.
(2)Zhong Y.
Bustling tiny location compared to the relatively much more spacious surroundings in Elgin, which, I suppose, simulates the authentic Japanese dining experience. Lots of Korean heard here, which is useful; service is attentive without being cloying. I don't need to hear irasshaimase so often, though. I would give four stars, but, I came in on a Friday night to this location, and while I was promptly seated, being only 7PM, not many new items being put out on the conveyor belt besides blue plates -- tuna, salmon, basics. A few plates of steamed scallop with the mantle, and raw scallop in rayu, but, that was that. I'd had a stack of blue plates in 30 minutes, which is ridiculous, because I thought they only stopped putting out new food 1 hour before they close. So, you get docked 1 star for that, Sushi Station. Yes, I know you can always order, but if that's the case, why am I going to a kaitenzushi resutoran? It's supposed to be fast food, but diverse. Left that place still feeling unsatisfied, so I hit the Falafel Bistro afterwards, how sad.
(3)harold k.
I dined here abt 2 wks ago. and there is a reason why the prices here are reasonable for sushi... the quality is sub-par. and with the rolls: there is way too much rice! The conveyor belt is cool though. I will not be coming back here.
(2)Elizabeth H.
I absolutely love this place. Everything I had was fresh and delicious. The place was PACKED. It was slightly hard to get our waitress' attention in order to order drinks because it was so busy. They have awesome desserts. I had cheesecakes squares and they melted in my mouth. I would go back just for that!
(5)Samson P.
I have gone here many years but haven't gotten to write a review until today. First of all, there are not many conveyor belt sushi stations in US let alone in Chicago. When I was in Asia, I saw one near every subway station. I was here over the weekend with my girlfriend to get some yummy sushi. The sushi is prepared and normally put on different priced colored plates with two to four pieces of nigiri/maki roll pieces while the conveyor belt goes around next to you. You can pick any you desire and after you are done with your meal all plates are counted up. *One tip is make sure to leave the lids on your table and don't put back onto the conveyer belt* In Asia, you can put it back and someone will take care of it but here I forgot and it made the line of sushi plates backed up, whoops. Also you can also order from the menu for things you don't see on the conveyor belt such as the magma roll. *you gotta order this!* -its a spicy mayo over shrimp tempura and eel. They blow torch the mayo and its sooooooooooo good, They have added desserts, appetizers, seaweed/jelly fish salads on the conveyor belt and always add new specialty rolls Some items I recommend are: Magma roll - spicy, you might have to order off menu Spider roll - typical but still really good soft shell crab Caterpillar roll - avacado and shrimp tempura Fried Crunchy Shrimp Appetizer (new) San diego roll Fatty Salmon nigiri The verdict: After all these years, I come back each year to experience conveyor belt sushi and the sushi, selection, and service are excellent. The fish is still fresh/good since it is conveyor belt sushi. Lunch times have discounts on rolls such as san diego rolls. If you have a party greater than 6, you might have to wait a while since they have tables next the conveyer belt that seat up to 6. Just like restaurants in Japan, they say 'Irasshaimase' (Welcome) as you walk in to give you that authentic Japanese experience. They have one more location in Elgin too.
(4)Ting Ting ..
I love coming to this place because the sushi is not expensive. I like being able to see the sushi before I order it so this place is perfect. The service is lacking because you can never find someone when you need them. You need to go during the weekday during daytime as it will be very crowing on weekends.
(4)Donna M.
Went last night with my bestie at her suggestion. We arrived right at 5pm when they opened. Good thing too because the restaurant was full by 5:15! You take colored plates off the conveyor belt and each color is a different price. When you're finished they add up your plates. The sushi is good overall. The albacore melts in your mouth. I also liked the fried shumai (shrimp dumplings). They were hot despite the conveyor belt. Everything else was the proper temperature. The waitstaff are prompt and stand against the wall behind you waiting to be waived over - a little odd but the result is quick service. You can order sushi, even if it's on the conveyor belt, and it comes quickly. My check was $22 and my friend's was just under $20. Totally worth it for the quality of food. It's a great place to be able to try new things too since there are 4 pieces on the plates instead of 6 or 8 like a traditional roll. Sooooo...get there early or you'll be waiting. My friend and I had 4 plates each but there were people with quadruple that and still eating with no intention of leaving anytime soon :) But that means it's yummy! They had some delicious looking lunch specials so I'lll definitely be back to try those or for another dinner!
(4)Jenn T.
This place is pretty cool with the conveyor belt stringing along sushi on color coded priced plates with plastic lids on top. Upon walking into this joint, it smelled like this heavenly seared fish aroma. Yumms. I LOVE seared fish anything. I thought the prices were a lil too much for what you were getting when I saw the guide for pricing. Ehhh win some lose some. We also ordered the magma roll and wildfire roll for everyone to share. Man, very heavy on the sauce, but it was still good. Had many various sorts of sushi and they weren't bad. I would say quality is average for sushi. Most of the rolls were innovative, some traditional too. I liked how it was small quantities of it, [~2 pc] so left alota room for variety. My fave winner of the meal would be the garlic seared super white tuna nigiri. It just melted in my mouth......The green tea was really good too, had a lot of that matcha flavor packed in, not like most other places where it tastes like vanilla ice cream with green food coloring. This place is a really cute concept for sushi, but I was afraid to eat this way, because I was so tempted to keep pulling plates off the belt and keep eating. I would rather see this style for all you can eat buffets because then I wouldn't be afraid to keep grabbing plates.
(4)Caitlin L.
I am a sushi fan. I love it, and if I could eat it every day, I would. Much like my old go-to sushi place, House of Sushi and Noodles, this place satisfies my need for cheap sushi and fast. No, the quality is not Sushi Wabi, Mirai or even Bob San, but it works for sushi freaks like myself who cannot afford to go to those places on a regular basis. As of late, I've been ordering items off the menu, cause often I do not see much on the conveyor belt that I find appealing, save for the occasional spicy tuna roll. Still, the novelty of watching the sushi go by is a lot of fun. I also enjoy the fact that I can order a small bowl of udon soup. I always come to sushi station w/ my two good friends and we have a goofy good time. Too boot, I never end up paying more than $20, tip included.
(4)Andy D.
Sushi Station is a neat place. Everyone sits around this counter with a conveyer belt loaded with various Sushi and desert items. They have all the traditional sushi rolls and many interesting and new ones. One dish had 4 little whole Octopuses. Another item was wrapped in a green corn husk, inside was a sweet bean and rice dough creation. The servers were constantly around filling your drinks and cleaning up the space. They also were great at getting the tables to turn so your wait wasn't long. New items were continually rolling out of the kitchen. I didn't care for the quality of sushi. The rolls were not tightly bound. Many of the items were a paste mixture and not solid pieces of fish. However, a benefit was the price match the quality pretty fairly. I enjoyed Sushi Station...but I recommend Kampai in Mt. Prospect. It's not that much further and better quality.
(3)Katie S.
Loved this place! Great food, great atmosphere (loved the food belt), very friendly staff!
(5)Nari H.
Pros - per item it's cheap. - you don't have to wait for your food when you sit down, it's ready to go - their rolls are pretty tasty - the server we had was nice - bathrooms are clean Cons - for sushi/fish and rice quality, you do get what you pay for. you won't have a professional sushi chef preparing everything, you won't get top quality fish. - it's typically packed (good and bad) so there's usually a wait. For larger groups they'll tell you 20 minutes, but it means 30 which is what happened to us tonight. - no refunds or even discounts if you drop your sushi which makes sense, but the cashier/owner/manager wasn't very friendly about it. all to say-handle carefully! bc if you drop it, you might as well torch $4 into flames. - for the more complicated rolls you need to order them individually with your server so aside from looking at the conveyer belt, if you want something fancier, make sure you look at their menu. overall, i'd give it a 3.5 it's good for your budget. i wouldn't mind coming back since this seems popular for this area and i don't know this area very well. but if i'm going to eat raw fish, i do have a preference to go where the quality is better.
(3)Michael L.
after watching check please, we were looking to try this place out. we always wanted the conveyor belt sushi experience. There is often a wait (please keep that in mind, esp on the weekends). I think we waited 10 minutes for a spot to open up (a weeknight). They had a wide variety of sushi and rolls on the belt. the color of the plate is the price you pay. They don't have sashimi on the belt. and, if it's not on the belt, you can order it off the menu from the wait staff. they do have a lot of good sushi on the pink plates. I enjoyed a good philadelphia roll. the salmon with avocado was also delightful. I'd hold off on the fancier items (like clam and octopus). we enjoyed our experience.
(3)Arlene G.
I haven't been to this place in a long time, but I think the place is cute. The food is on different colored plates that goes around on a conveyor belt. The different plates determine the price of the dish. It's cool because sometimes you want to see what it is you're ordering before you order. There's a good selection of food, but they don't all taste so fresh.
(3)Danielle S.
I've eaten in once and had take-out a number of times because it was free (got it through work). The sushi here is just okay, nothing spectacular, and they've got Mexicans making it. Go for the rotating belt experience once or twice, get the Hanako Roll and order some hot rolls made fresh -- otherwise, you'll be disappointed by the quality (or I was, at least).
(2)Elleb K.
A nice little place to try. Sushi is served on a conveyor belt. Good for ADHD kids. (They were amused.) I watched the belt spin round and round waiting for the new pieces. I love being the 1st to snatch the dish. But noticed alot of the dishes were the Same. No fun. Plenty of parking. 20 min wait. Might come back if I was in the area. Made me miss home. :(
(3)Krista S.
Love the conveyor belt full of sushi delight! This is a great place to go for sushi beginners because you get to try so many different pieces of sushi at an affordable price. It's such a fun dining experience, I can't wait to go back and try more!
(4)Amanda C.
I love the sushi there, but be prepared to wait! There is ALWAYS a ton of people there, and you will be sitting arm-to-arm with someone you don't know. They have good sushi... the fish always tastes fresh and that is probably because there is so many people taking the sushi off of the belt! I wish I could have my own private sushi station because that would eliminate any of my reservations about going there. Aside from the long wait and the tight squeeze, the only bad thing about sushi station is the price. It is a little steep considering you can get cheaper sushi at many other places in the area. They also don't have tempura fried shrimp heads! Boo on you, sushi station! You need to get on board there! Manders says get the squid salad and the magma roll. You will enjoy --- me promises!
(4)Michael A.
Very reasonably priced, high-quality sushi. Yes, it's one of the sushi joints where the food comes on a conveyor belt, and that turns off some people. But everything we tasted was fresh. One plate usually runs $3.25, can be higher or lower, but portion size pleasantly surprised me. Although it's rare I end up in the 'burbs, when I do I would come back here in a second.
(5)Jisha J.
I want to start out by saying that the experience we had at Sushi Station was very cool. My brother and I both love sushi, and so since we always pass by this way, we thought would give it a try. The sushi isn't going to blow you away, it's more about the experience. You get to sit and watch this huge conveyer belt circle around the whole store with plates of sushi on it. You choose which plates you want to eat (the prices are according to the color of the plate) and it's neat because you can try so many different things for a decent price (I the the phoenix roll was one of my favorites). Since each plate has between 2 to 4 items on it, you aren't so full that you can't try other things. We both ate well and spent less than $30 total. Again, I must repeat that the sushi isn't spectacular, but I thought it was decent. Overall, a fun place to go with friends/family, and I would definitely go here again.
(4)Tabitha R.
Horrible restaurant. Horrible service, quality of food is extremely poor (old sushi rotating). The health department should be called. Owner is greedy, does not care one bit about her customers and treats her employees poorly. Don't eat here and do not work here. Much better jobs to be found with better employers. Much better sushi restaurants to be found for loyal paying customers. Keep driving folks!! By the way, the owner pretends like she doesn't speak English when you have a complaint. She counts her dollars just fine. GREEDY!!!!
(1)Nish A.
Tasty and cheap Japanese food! Has a lot of options for vegetarians too!
(5)Amelia W.
Not recommended for sushi elitists; highly recommended for sushi rookies. I'll admit, I've had better sushi at other local restaurants, but you can't beat Sushi Station for the opportunity to try different types of sushi! I've only been eating sushi for a couple years, and my boyfriend had only tried it once long before meeting me. Sushi Station was a great place to explore our tastes. You can look at it before you order it, compare it to other things they have out, etc. And any one plate is probably only $3 or $4 (especially if you're a sushi rookie), so it's not a huge loss if you don't like it. It's a small place, so expect a little wait to be seated. I've never gone and been seated immediately. That's probably why the staff is so quick to pick up lids, refill water, etc. I do feel that they want to get people in and out quickly, but I've never felt rushed while eating. I think the concept would be fun for a group, but I think it'd be very hard to get everyone seated together. I wouldn't recommend Sushi Station for elite sushi eaters, but if you're in the mood to try some new things in a fun atmosphere, you should really try Sushi Station.
(4)Jennifer Q.
Just reiterating how much I love this place. So much fun to get excited in anticipation of your favorite maki coming down the conveyor! It was so yummy too! I got the Phoenix and Philly and some Sushi Station exclusive "crab rangoon" -but they were really unique -fresh crab in a spicy sauce and a dash of creamy cheese. YUM! ...So hope they open one in the city eventually!
(5)Leonor S.
Oh my.. If I could afford to, I'd go EVERYDAY :) I love to pig out here! The huge selections of rolls, sushi, appetizers, and desserts make this place stand out. That rotating belt really makes it hard to stop when you're full, because once you think you're done, another delicious plate comes by your table.. and of course, you HAVE to take it! My absolute favorites here are: grand fatty tuna, spyder roll, hanako roll, and the mochi! Don't miss out on the desserts here or you'll be oh so sorry~
(5)Jessica G.
This is the kind of place that makes me wish we could give half stars. Solidly good but I don't feel like 3 stars is enough while 4 is too much. I like that we were seated very promptly upon arrival. A lot of the time, there's a pretty big crowd so for 4:30 on a Saturday, not having to wait seemed to be a lucky occurrence. Our beverage orders and the non-conveyor orders we placed were also brought very quickly. I do love the conveyor belt system and I like that their color codes are easy to understand for the pricing so you know in advance what you're paying. They do have a lot of interesting rolls and fewer of the more "normal" ones but the quality seems to be acceptable and I would say that their San Diego roll is super-tasty with a nice kick. The stuff we ordered off the menu, according to my dining companions, was quite nice. Overall, not bad unless you want everything to be super-traditional.
(3)Bonnie D.
Today I dined at Sushi Station . . . big mistake. We arrived at 1:22 and were told by the manager that the kitchen closes at. 1:45. Every other minute the manager was loudly yelling orders across the dining room, making her hard to ignore. This created a less than comfortable atmosphere. We were hustled at every turn. At 1:30 (when we were seated) the sushi conveyor was nearly barren with the exception of some chocolate cake. I ordered from the menu, expecting something freshly prepared. Among other things I ordered a spider roll. It was cold and tasted like old grease. I apologize for the explicitness, but I have been belching it up for the last five hours. My husband's food was of equally poor quality. Between the poor quality food and hustling us out the door, McDonalds is fine dining by comparison. Incidentally, on a prior visit we have arrived early, which was also a problem. There was a long wait for a table and the usual hustle went on. We will NEVER go to Sushi Station again.
(1)Elena A.
I remember liking the place originally, mostly for the experience of kaiten-zushi, but upon my recent visit, I discovered that the quality of fish has gotten so much better, that I had to re-update. Sushi Station = deliciousness. The fatty salmon? *drool* So good. Also, the desserts are great. I think we had 4 plates of the chocolate covered strawberries, 3 of the cream puffs, and 2 of the strawberries w/sweetened condensed milk. Yum. Just remember to pay attention to how many plates you're eating, because the cost can pile up.
(5)Dj H.
I love this place. Great food and the varity is incredable. You may not like everthing but you will surely like something. A good place for an introduction to sushi.
(5)Rebecca M.
Well, I tried this place again. While I originally gave it three stars, I thought I might be able to give it more. WRONG! Sushi was same, OK but satisfied my craving, but then they started kicking us out! Someone who wasn't even our server came over, gave us the wrong bills, and said "You're done, right?" That will be my last trip there.
(1)Nate C.
I'll have to say that yes I am a fan. I enjoyed the mini udon soup, spider roll and dragon roll. Everything was fresh and rolled well. I really didn't see anything good on the conveyor belt...maybe because I got there 30 min. before they close at 2pm for what I heard was nap time...hehe! I'll definitely have to go earlier so I can see more selections and not just dessert left on the belt. More reviews to come after I really get to taste more of their sushi and have time to sit and stare at the belt.
(4)Chad M.
I used to think...EEEWWWW Sushi? But then I tried it and liked it, first at Sushi Nari in Arl Hts. And now, at Sushi Station. It was incredible. My favorite rolls are the Hollywood Roll, the Philadelphia Roll, and the Hanako Roll. All very delicious and fresh. I would say that it DOES feel like they try to shoo you out of there, but they ARE busy, and there are likeminded people who also want to taste the goodness as well. Great pricing, and well worth it.
(5)jen m.
Decent prices, fast service, free parking makes this sushi joint a good experience! I've been coming here for a couple of years now and have been very satisfied. Don't come here looking for out of the ordinary makis, they don't have it. I like to mostly get the sushi pieces, esp. tamago and hamachi. Fresh tasting and cheap is the winning combo! I happen to be a big fan of unagi but don't order it here, they torch the darn thing before they serve it, so it tastes burnt. Recently went here on a Sat night, waited only a good 15 mins (the upside of self service). But, the hostess was so concerned in getting people out as soon as they are done, that she must of looked over our shoulders and asked us no less than 5 times in 15 mins if we were done.
(4)Matt W.
How can you beat sushi on a conveyor belt? This is the best Sushi restaurant in all of Chicagoland. Sushi Station has high quality sushi at very reasonable prices. I didn't know what I was missing out on at other sushi restaurants until I found this gem. You can sit there and get hypnotized by all the beautiful plates of sushi passing by your table. Grab what you would like or ask the very friendly staff to make you something to-order off the large menu. I have brought many friends to this special place and all of them have loved it and have made Sushi Station a place they now visit. Pluses: -Free self-serve ginger. -Very nice bathroom -Good Tea -Beer & Sake -Yummy Deserts -Authentic (just like the ones in Japan I have been to, only with BETTER sushi) Downsides: - None, this is as good as it gets!
(5)Jenna S.
Been to this place a handful of times since it opened. Not the best sushi you've had in the world, and a somewhat limited selection of what's coming down the conveyor belt, but still a great concept. Would have given it 4 stars because it's a pretty reliable choice, but they need to investigate making the conveyor belt a bit colder. Items that have been in there more than a few minutes always seem luke warm...even though there are salads and such that need to be served chilled. Some items are over priced, like the various fruit dishes they have (strawberries, mandarin oranges, melon) and the American desserts are very average (cheesecake, chocolate cake, chocolate covered strawberries) but stick with the authentic stuff like Red Bean Paste Balls, Gyozas, or Squid Salad and you're good to go! We partically choose to come back because it's always a quick in-n-out experience and great when you need a fast lunch or dinner.
(3)Lindley E.
Errrr. I've never been much in love with the conveyor belt sushi concept - not in Japan, when as a teenager we'd head over there for midnight eats, and most certainly not as an adult, where a single visit was enough to convince me never again. For those who love truly fast food with a healthy profile, Sushi Station is heaven-sent. For those who actually demand quality, well, Sushi Station isn't really ideal. Don't get me wrong - the sushi isn't bad - it just isn't great, and if I'm going for raw fish and vinegared rice, it better be amazing. Life is too short for average fish. PS - this place gets very crowded at lunch.
(3)Tracy K.
I love the idea of grabbing food off a conveyor, and it was neat to come here for the novelty factor. Apparently everyone else does too; the wait times for a Thursday evening were ridiculous. Unfortunately, there was only one vegetarian item (not counting desserts) that I saw coming around. I tried that and it was okay; not something I would choose again. I ordered two vegetarian rolls - fiesta (cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, tomato & cucumber) and vegetable (cucumber, avocado & carrot), and while they satisfied my hunger, they were really nothing special. I also ordered a bowl of miso soup.. that never arrived. I have had much better sushi elsewhere, and would really only come back here if someone suggested it. I am glad to have eaten here though for the novelty of the experience.
(3)Erick P.
This place is alright, I used to take my little brother here to eat because he really enjoyed it. I personally had better sushi, the system is pretty neat how the sushi comes around and stuff but, sometimes the stuff you want is always gone because people before you always grab it. I guess this is a good place to start eating sushi if you have never tried before.
(2)Chris C.
So here's the thing about this place. Its not perfect for all sushi eating situations, but it does have its place in the world of sushi. If they opened one of these in the city (and I have heard they plan to) it would be the end of me. As I'm sure many other reviews mention, this is one of those 'sushi served by way of conveyor belt' restaurants. Knowing this, you should also know that its more of a quick in-and-out kind of place. So yes, they discourage you from sitting and chatting for hours on end. But its just not that kind of place, so it doesn't matter to me. I live in the city and I frequently have to visit family out in Elgin. This is the perfect place to stop on the way, and spend 20 - 30 minutes getting some very good sushi. Is it the best I've ever had? No, but it is very good, fast, and its also a lot of FUN. The conveyor belt concept is a really entertaining way to enjoy a meal, and a particularly good place to go if you are new to sushi, or going out to eat with someone that is new to sushi. Its far less scary to give something a try when you can see it right in front of you, and the portions are much smaller. So you don't have to invest $10 on a full roll. Anyway, I really enjoy this place for its fun, its quality, its location, and its speed. Probably not where you want to go for a nice night out for sushi, but for any other sushi eating occasion, it will fit the bill. Oh and one last note, there is another location that opened out in Carpentersville. It lacks the charm of this original location, but it serves up the same good sushi. So while I prefer the Arlington Heights location, the other one will do in a pinch.
(5)Kathy F.
Sometimes I just feel like sushi for lunch. Fortunately I work in Rolling Meadows so I can get in and out of Sushi Station in 30 minutes if I need to get back to the office quickly. I am a big fan of the salmon sushi. I gave up fried foods for lent so I had to skip the San Diego roll yesterday. When I feel adventurous I like the Mexican roll and the Spider Roll. I should say, adventurous for what Sushi Station has to offer. Granted I have eaten things that I probably had no idea what they were in Seattle and L.A. For mid-west sushi and a quick, moderately healthy lunch, I have to give props to the Station. Love the waitstaff, too! Oh, and best to go right at 11:30a.m. when they open--when the sushi is the freshest!
(4)Christine S.
While I do like Sushi Station for a fast, reasonably priced sushi meal I sometimes question the freshness of the food. I've left feeling queasy on more than one occasion and once in a while I do pick up something that smells like it has been in the dome for a while. The staff is polite and efficient and the prices are reasonable. It can be hard to get a seat for more than one during lunch and dinner rush but that's to be expected. For the money, though, there are better places to go that can probably serve nice quality food just a quickly.
(2)Michelle F.
I was going to post right after I ate there but I thought about the experience some more and wanted some time to let it sit before writing this. It wasn't too crowded when we got there but they would not seat us until our group of 8 arrived, even when 7 of us were there... The sushi was meh... nothing very creative or special, and the amount of fish on the nigiri was tiny compared to everywhere else I have had Sushi in the Chicago area... Their spicy rolls weren't. The waitress was nice, but after we had finished and they brought us the bill the place had gotten really crowded... She had the audacity to ask us to leave so they could seat other customers... We had not finished chatting with each other and were still enjoying our tea? Seriously? mediocre food, moderately good service and then being tossed out to make room for more cattle? Most places that would be in the recipe book under "how to run your restaurant business into the ground"....
(1)Phil G.
I found this place in may when I was feigning sushi. Their rolls were fresh and were spicy to my liking. It was fast, fresh, convenient, and inexpensive. The people were friendly and attentive. Was well worth the trip.
(5)Nona Gayle D.
i just had a sushi craving fulfilled.... my brother's gf brought over a plate of sushi and let me say it was mighty tasty... and well priced! We had the spicy salmon, spider, unagi, and philadephia roll and we are stuffed! The fish was really fresh. I have no complaints about their take out!!!
(4)Nancy F.
I love this place! The concept is awesome - why not have fresh sushi going through a conveyor so that you can actually see what sushi you actually want to eat. If you don't see what you want, grab a waitress and order off the menu and she'll bring it to you pronto. This place raised its prices a few months back - extra 25 cents on everything and they now charge you $1 for green tea (unlimited refills though) but its still a great deal. The sushi is fresh and tastes good. The sushi order sizes are smaller, which is great because it leaves room for you to try lots of different things and once you find something you like, you can manage to eat the whole order yourself! This is the only place in the Chicago area that I know has the sushi rolling on a conveyor.. .they need to have more of these places (I heard they did open another location in another suburb). Great sushi at a great price - good for sushi experts and novices!
(5)Tony A.
Nice variety of sushi at a decent price. Despite having long lines to get in, they tend to move pretty quick.
(4)Suzy D.
If you like sushi, and you plan on throwing down a lot of it, come here! This place is kind of a long ways to come for sushi, but the prices are good and the fish is pretty fresh. My husband and I came here on Saturday for lunch. We had to wait about 10 minutes to get seated since the place was packed, but that's a good sign. So anyways, we were seated and then we proceeded to eat massive quantities of raw fish. yum! Whenever we go visit family in Taiwan, we usually go to a sushi restaurant like this, where the sushi comes on the conveyor belt so it was a fun yet familiar concept for us. We're not fans of any rolls that have imitation crab, mayo or cream cheese in them. yuck. fake sushi. So we got the fatty tuna, super white tuna, fatty salmon, tuna tataki, welk, ika, toro, and a few others. We ate like 20 little plates and were totally stuffed. Our bill was about 80 dollars, but at any sushi restaurant downtown, our bill would have been over 100 at least, considering the amount we ate. Anyways, yum and we will be back. The toro, ika, fatty salmon, and the tataki were all wonderful. I think the rolls with the fake crab, mayo, cream cheese are cheaper, so if you're into that kind of stuff, you will be able to have a very affordable meal here.
(4)Steve S.
There are only two things that I would like to point out about this place. The sushi here is iiight.... It is not one of the freshest fish I have tasted but alright at best. The price is reasonable for the quality so I did not expect much. The service.... here is where they deceive you... Friendly at first but rush to kick you out. Couple of friends of mine went here to celebrate a birthday lunch. Just wanted something quick... So we get in and they greet us in Japanese which I assume was welcome to our shop or something like that.... We sit down and grab our food and eat. Near the end of the meal, we took out a small birthday cake that we got for her and the waitress immediately stopped us saying we couldn't eat anything that wasn't made at the restaurant.... we explained how it was her birthday but she said that they had customers waiting so they gave us the bill and ignored our request to just have cake.... the fck? OVERALL the food was alright... service was -_- don't even want to say... Even though we had a bad experience.... I would recommend it for a quick meal if you're craving sushi...
(3)Josh M.
Consistency is definitely the strong suit of this conveyor belt style sushi place. I have never had a bad experience here. The miso soup is good and so is the udon bowls. The nice thing about this type of place is that you get a chance to see what you are getting before you choose it. You can tell when something has been going around for a long time and at that point you don't have to get it. It is also nice to see that when I go, about once a month, that there is something new coming down the line. My personal favorite is the san diego roll so if you haven't tried it definitely go for it. This isn't a place for the sushi elitist but it is a great place for beginners and other who don't want to spend a fortune for just a couple of rolls.
(4)Bob F.
Love the concept of the moving meal. Makes dinner interesting because you have something to look at other than your wife, who is mean and hates cats. Luckily they love cats at Sushi Station and they don't believe in declawing. After a few times I ended up ordering my favorites which are the volcanic poppers and a few other spicy dishes.
(5)Matt D.
I've visited this location twice, and I still prefer the Elgin one. My first experience here must have been at a bad time, because all my sushi tasted stale and disgusting. My outing today was better, but still not up to Elgin quality. My only other problem with this location is the size. I was crammed between one of my friends and some stranger. Not a deal breaker for me, but I could see it ruining some peoples meal. Long story short, if you're not in the mood to make the hike to Elgin, this is an acceptable alternative.
(3)Jenny J.
The best way to try a little bit of everything if you're into variety or just not sure of what type of sushi you like. Plates come with 2-4 pieces and this allows you to try different things. You are seated around a conveyor belt that rotates around the restaurant and kitchen. On the conveyor belt sit color-coded plates (the color designates the price) of rolls, appetizers, and desserts. However, there is also a menu from which you can order items you do not see on the belt. I have been three times, with different party sizes and each time we ate and were completely stuffed at a reasonable price. The only drawback, the place is always packed (lunch and dinner) and you are rushed out once you are done. So if you want to sit and talk, don't eat here.
(3)Matty M.
so whenever i see a commercial for this place, they always advertise how affordable it is, in my opinion it's affordable if you get nothing, i'm surprised that salmonella poisoning isn't more common here, the fish always seems like it's been in the sun 8 minutes too long overall i really like this place, but i think that has more to do with my affection of japanese culture more than affection of the restaurant
(3)Erin M.
Sushi rolling by on a conveyor belt and super friendly staff...you can't go wrong. I had a hard time deciding whether to give 4 or 5 stars, and I settled with 4 because I don't think this place will wow the sushi aficionado. However, for most of us Americanized sushi loves, this is the spot! I have been going here since it opened and it never disappoints me. If you go at the end of their hours, the selection is a little more limited, but that's to be expected. Plus, you can order whatever you want from the servers and they'll make it fresh. They have a great selection of maki - as for the nigiri, it's sorta limited but still okay. There seems to be a lot of choices with crab salad, which I love, even if it's not traditional. My must-haves every time are the Bostation Roll and the Godzilla Roll (now only available through your server). And an added bonus - my mom can't seem to figure out chopsticks for the life of her, so she either uses a fork or her fingers and no one bats an eye:)
(4)Vince V.
Life is too short and cash too precious to spend eating so-so sushi. I have never been wowed by this place even though it gets pretty busy. It's just that nothing I've eaten here has ever made me yearn for more. It might be the sort of place you would bring a first time sushi eater to because it is fairly non-threatening, which is the same thing as saying it's kind of boring.
(2)Nasty B.
I've been coming here at least once a month, for the last 8 years. But after what I went through last night, Sushi Station will no longer see any of my business (including friends and family). Read beyond the positive reviews and you'll see that they have a pattern of treating their customers poorly. There's now a sign in the entry way that says you cannot get a table unless there are 3 persons in your group. This is even true for the two of us who showed up at 9:15pm (45 minutes before they close). They had 5 empty tables but somehow insisted that we sit next to a row of people along the sushi belt. And when we asked as to whether we can give a space between us and the other people, we were told that we were required to bunch in. Remember, there was no one waiting to be seated and the restaurant was at half capacity at this time. Management stood behind the counter and saw our disappointment with how we were treated. And yet somehow, she made no attempt to remedy the situation. Over the years, I've noticed that with an increase in their popularity, they've implemented a system in which their service will try to rush you out (they'll interrupt you if there are signs that your conversation is dragging), the quality and size of the fish has gotten worse, and they started selling items that have no place being on the menu. Look beyond the novelty of Sushi on a conveyor belt and you'll see a restaurant with poor customer service and below-average food. An advice to Sushi Station from a guy that's been to a few restaurants- stop worrying about customers that haven't crossed through your doors, be mindful of the ones that have already arrived ! You just lost a group of loyal customers.
(1)Christina Z.
On my visit there I called 20 minutes before for a pick up order. Placed the order and arrived there to pick up my Godzilla, Spider, and California Roll. Upon getting there the lady gave me a total that seemed way to big to be my order. When I brought it up they claimed that I had not made the order if they didn't have it. The perk of living in a techno savy world, I pulled out my cell phone and showed them their number. Turns out I was right cuz a minute later what happens? They find the ticket with my order and tell me that they gave my order to another person named Christina. They then tell me to wait so they can make my order. My response is simple, "Do I get a discount?" In which the woman who speaks minimal English and I mean minimal, but she understood that screams, "No Discount! No Discount!" The she begins to speak in her native tongue to her coworkers and it becomes clear that she is talking about me as they all are staring at me. So when I ask to speak to a manager the same woman says, "I am and NO discount." I stood there and explained to her that I called in the order and it wasn't my fault that they lost it. When I say this she turns to her teenage worker and blames her for this. How do I know? Well a high pitched voice and a girl looking ready to cry is the same in any language. So I stop the woman and I tell her it's not her fault. To stop yelling at her because she isn't the person to be mad at. She finally stops and in the end gives me 10%. I then hear this young girl talking to the person who has my order and telling them that they can have that for free and they'll credit back the amount to her credit card. I'm stunned that they would do this consider all I went through with them for a lousy 10%. Sushi Station is more like HELL STATION! No part of the experience was worth it. The rolls were poorly made and cold!
(1)Kathy S.
After writing the review for this place, I realized how long it's been since I've gone and decided to go this weekend. I love the new rolls that they have such as their magma roll although that particular roll has almost too much sauce which I can see some people disliking. I was craving some uni and was somewhat disappointed when they told me they did not have it that night but I won't be holding that against them since it's not easy to always have uni on hand. One thing you will have to try is their cheesecake!! It is not as heavy as normal cheesecake but just as good. I don't recommend the flan as it was just okay and I definitely had much better.
(5)MJ L.
I've been here a good amount of times and have never had an issue with this place until tonight. My friends and I were celebrating a birthday and 4 sushi plates later, I was asked by the waitress if I needed a box....clearly I still had my chopsticks in hand and my plate was not empty. So no, I was not done and just told her that I was still eating. There wasn't even a wait! Shortly after paying the bill, another lady, possibly a manager, dressed in black was hovering around our table. Finally, she comes over to our table and starts cleaning and saying, "Thank you" over and over, taking our drinks and all, practically forcing us out!!! WTF was my thought so on our way out, my friend tells her, "If you wanted us to leave, you should've just said so." And she pretty much made sure that the other customers heard that comment. Plain rude and there are definitely better places with better service. Read the other comments from others who have also been forced out of this worthless place.
(1)Glenn R.
The sushi here is not the best, but I come here for their very reasonable prices. Being the cheapscape that I am, I always get the 2 piece sushi variety for $1.25...... Seriously, how can you beat that !!! I usually pick up sushi to go once a week, after work, and I usually only pay around $10, depending on what I order. If you choose to eat inside, the sushi on the conveyer belt is always a cool sight. You just sit back and watch all the sushi pass you, and if you want one, you just pick it up....that easy. Also, they made keeping tab on the price very easy. The price is based on the color of the plate the sushi is served on. For example, a white plate is only $1.25, a yellow plate is $2.25, a blue plate is #3.25; You get the idea. Overall, this place is great for fast food sushi and for budget minded folks.
(3)Dee T.
Last weekend after spending a confusing 2 hours at the IKEA we got a little bit hungry and went to Sushi Station for dinner. On the way to IKEA we had passed it and noticed how it was full and there were Asian people waiting in line outside. Always a good sign for a sushi place, no? Wrong. The sushi was so bad! The fish didn't taste that fresh, neither was it cheap, and we were packed in like sardines in this restaurant. But the boyfriend finds it hard to say no to the sushi conveyor belt, so 20 minutes after he says, wow this is not good, we're still there and he's tucking into a new plate of sushi off the belt. Not the best 30 dollars we spent!
(2)Susan R.
The conveyor sushi is the only reason to go. I stopped in on a Friday after work to order carry-out and was not addressed by their host for some time. While I waited I looked in the small room that was full of teenagers and early 20 something couples. The sushi isn't much to write about and I will probably not be back.
(2)Flix F.
Here's a 1-star in an attempt to bring a little balance: regardless of how good the food is (it's good), this place's schedule (the 3-hour gap in the middle of the day) is plain S-T-U-P-I-D
(1)Andrew L.
I love the idea of conveyor belt sushi. You don't have to wait for your orders, you can be spontaneous, and you can keep an eye on how much you spend easily (by the price to color plates), but there's a trade off. I have been here quite a few times and each time, I would just like to see more variety in the rolls that come by, I would say that 80% of the rolls' main ingredient is imitation crab salad. Don't get me wrong, it's for a fair price and the rolls are packed with it, but when one roll and another is only different by say the color of the masago on the outside, it maybe time to add a lil more. I'm sure there are safety reasons or what not for this overflowing amount of crab versus fish, but that doesn't mean that regular nigiri or other rolls aren't up for grabs. The chefs, just within arms reach at times, can make any of rolls on the menu for you. I like the idea, but it's not very intimate or conducive to groups. If you do go in a group, two people will be on conveyor duty (picking and calling out sushi that's passing by). It's funny at first, but then becomes a chore. This can be overcome by just ordering what you want from a server or the chef near by, but then... why not go to another sushi restaurant? All in all, a good idea, good service, good price, not bad rolls, but just wish there was more to variety in the rolls.
(3)Ron C.
I think Sushi station is da BOMB. I grew up in Hong Kong where initially rotating sushi places were cheap, fish badly sliced and not fresh. But now I see a lot more places that serve GOOOD sushi whenever I go home. Sushi station doesn't look like much at first, cheap decor with a diner feel, but once you look at the menu and then actually see the food, you will be SURPRISED. I didn't want to waste money with the cheap sushi items, so when I ordered stuff like TORO, I was like WOW~! It was definitely on par with places like Mirai and Japonais but for half the price. Their small dishes such as duck breast, and winter miso soup were also delicioso. If you've never been to a place like this, definitely order items from the sushi chef/ waitress and not take the unfresh fish from the line. Like I say about Maxwell Street market, you know a place is good when the cuisine is actually run by the people of that race. I'm not sure but Arlington Heights seems like it has huge Japanese population and that just translates to good food (Mitsuwa, duh!). If you haven't been here or are too lazy to make the trip out here, come now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Dan D.
"Yay! I'm a fan" are my words exactly. It's the best way I can describe. It's not the greatest sushi ever, but its pretty damn good. It all tastes fresh and is the price is good. Although this place is pretty small and gets cramped, the food is really good. The waitstaff is friendly and quick with the orders.
(4)Kelly B.
I actually went to Sushi Station once and had a great time. I went there and I don't even eat any kind of seafood. We got a lot of different plates of food and it was allllllll soooooo good! Our bill was expensive but we did leave with a smile on our faces. We had one complaint was that we were placed kinda by the kitchen and the cooks were hooting and hollering at us! We weren't dressed bad or anything . We were just trying to enjoy our meal. I really wish I would of gotten a better look at the men or I would of complained but I will not have that ruin the fact the food was very good!
(4)Stacey D.
For some reason, it reminds me of a 50s diner. Must be the counter. I like the conveyer belt system, so I can decide as things pass if I'm still hungry, or if I'm feeling daring and try something new. Pictures of everything is on their menu and many of the plates on the belt have signs indicating what they are (vegetable rolls: avocado, cucumber, carrots). Nice to know specifically what I get. I love the plate-color-coded pricing system. It's clear what I'm getting and paying for. The strawberries and cream puffs were surprisingly good. I think they do a nice job of balancing their American and Japanese customers. It got crowded while we were there -- at least 15 people waiting at 1:00 on a Sat afternoon.
(5)Lucy R.
My husband and I got there around 6 pm on a Friday night, and the place was already crowded! They give you a numbered ticket to keep your place in line, but it was only a short 10 minutes til we were seated at the conveyor belt bar. Right away, I noticed the waitstaff is quick and efficient. If you sit at the bar, it is great because you can see your food before you commit, especially if it is your first time dining here. Plus, you can eat right away -- you just open the window and grab the dish you want! The food is neatly organized on the belt, and signs clearly indicate what it is/what ingredients are in the rolls. However, since it is a sushi bar, if you go during the dinner rush on a weekend day, be prepared to sit in close quarters. I would say some of the food was fresh and delicious and other dishes were just so-so. My favorites were: the udon soup, unagi (eel) maki, California maki, seaweed salad and the mixed tempura. My husband loved the Dragon Roll but said the Rock n' Roll maki bordered on having no taste at all. We were too full to try any of the desserts, but they have a good variety from traditional Japanese desserts, like mochi to the untraditional, like flan! At the end, they tab your meal by the colors of the plates--each color has a price associated with it. Overall, I would recommend this place for a quick meal, but be prepared to wait for a table during the dinner rush and don't expect everything on the menu to be above par.
(4)Cindy D.
Came here again last night. Still very very affordable, however we got there at 8 pm and nothing was added to the rotating belt. Overall it was fine since we were able to order everything we wanted - but it's still fun to watch the rotating belt :) Fresh food and gotta love fatty salmon!
(4)Anson P.
This place is great for people who just want to run in and grab some sushi on their own. This is one of those restaurants that is suitable for people who dine alone. I love the refrigerated conveyor belt system. The conveyor belt also has plenty of options circulating. You would expect the staff to ignore you and let you entertain yourself with the belt, but it is not so. The staff is highly attentive and very nice. They greet you when you walk in and say good-bye when you leave in a way such that everyone in the restaurant knows when people come in and when people leave. The sushi is very good and the place is busy even during hours when you would not expect it to be. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Jacqueline S.
I went right before they were closing and the fish and eel tasted off. I have never had such bad sushi before. Some of the other rolls without seafood were fine but a bit too large in size for me (I think sushi rolls should not be so big that it breaks all apart while eating) and didn't taste that great. For good Japanese food in the area I would recommend Sakura Woodfield.
(1)Lee G.
This is by far my favorite sushi restaurant. I've had spicy tuna from a lot of places. I've found they have THE BEST spicy tuna rolls. The portions are good for the price. It helps that they know me by name now too. The only downside is they are quite small and quite busy. Twice I've been subliminally rushed to finish eating so they could seat other guests but this is my only complaint. I've been going here since 2006 and have only once or twice seen them have a below par day. Muah to Aieko if you read this. (lol)
(4)Ellen S.
I saw this place on Check, Please and read the reviews and they said the sushi wasn't that great but I was in that area today so I decided to give it a try anyway. The service was fine, the atmosphere so-so (kind of discount dept store esque) but I decided to give it a shot. A lot of the sushi used imitation crab, which I don't like but they did have snow crab that was pretty good. The tuna and salmon were good. A lot of the rolls had mayo in them and I don't really like mayo but what I did have was pretty good.
(3)MJ E.
Fun, fast, inexpensive, and tasty! Definitely a favorite!
(5)Samantha A.
Sushi station is the best place around to get affordable sushi. The atmosphere isnt bad. All of the waiters/waitresses are nice. The sushi is usually extremely fresh. Many rolls, appetizers, and sushi to chose from. Be careful if youre going near closing time as they will tell you they can not garuntee you a seat or that you will be able to order off the menu. Just tried their take-out last night and we were not disappointed.
(4)D. T.
This place is nothing fancy. Its a quick and decent sushi meal. If you can clearly see a Wal-Mart from where you are dining, you shouldnt expect heaven.
(3)A W.
Reasonably priced, good food. If you are expecting amazing try somewhere else. This place usually has a wait time, especially if you go there with 4+ people. The portions are small (usually 2-4 pieces) so if you don't like it, no big deal! Allows you to try as much or as little as you want without being stuck with the same thing over & over. If you get seated at the end of the belt just ask the server for what you want & they will get it for you so you don't have to hope someone else doesn't take it before you!
(4)Jason A.
We arrived here a few minutes before opening, and there was nobody sitting at any of the tables. We asked to be seated at a table, which is never a problem at the Elgin location, and were told that we would need 1 more person with us to get a table. I explained that my vertigo is triggered when I'm staring directly at the conveyor belt, and that I need a table so that the belt isn't in my field of vision. This is the first time I've ever had to ask for an accommodation because of my vertigo, because nowhere else argues when you ask for a table. We weren't even told sorry, the waitress just walked up to the chairs at the belt, pulled them out, and told us to sit down. I'm sure this won't happen again after I file a complaint for the Americans with Disabilities Act. But maybe I won't bother, maybe I'll just drive to the Elgin location instead. Actually, maybe I'll find somewhere else to get sushi altogether.
(1)Jean Z.
This is a great place for beginners. not too pricy each plate, until you add up that stack at the end. An older lady said that she'd never seen it as busy as it was tonite - we had party of 2, simple, sit us at the counter please! I was suprised to see only one ladies room stall, but rather impressed to find it so clean. ok back to the sushi. the train goes by and you have your choice of all sorts of goodies, some really great rolls and the tuna was really good. If you oops like we did, you'll find yourself paying for a $4 plate of cold octopus. gross. anyway - the masago was yummy - the rolls varied. The seaweed salad (whats it called?) was sweet and crunchy. when you go here, parties of 3 or more get tables - everyone else gets a counter seat. try to keep your coat on the inside of your chair as they tuck your ticket in the back of your seat. the front counter seemed a bit cluttered and dusty - maybe i should call and mention that. party of 2 very stuffed white girls, with only one wasted expenditure: $49.00. seems fair. great fun time, nice crowd. in the same building as cariboo coffee, north of golf road on the west side of algonquin. enjoy! - oh yea, if you dont see something you want, speak up! they'll run some strawberries right over to you!
(4)Scott G.
I visit this sushi station once or twice a week for lunch. The sushi is always fresh, despite being delivered by conveyor and the prices are extremely reasonable. If you go during the lunch rush there are even special discounts on some popular dishes. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because at this point they really need to look into a larger location. It can be difficult to get in and out of here in the span of a lunch hour unless you get right to work as soon as you are seated. The wait for a table can be 15-20 minutes sometimes. All things considered, it is absolutely the way to experience sushi! I'm considering heading over for lunch after writing this review.
(4)Patrick E.
This place is perfect for impatient eaters! The food is right there for you to grab when you are seated. it's fresh and fairly priced.
(5)Q C.
Food is good, not the best sushi I've had but far from the worst. The wait staff is really fast and nice. Some of the stuff on the belt looked kinda like it was on there all day so I stayed away from it and ordered from the waitress. Would go here again if I was in the area and wanted sushi. Nothing special about this place really other than the belt of sushi rolling by you.
(3)Leocris L.
oh man! such a fun place to grab (literally) some sushi! it gets pretty busy, which kinda sucks, but it's definitely worth the wait if you're never been. not a good place to bring a big party. 5 is tight, more than that, you'll get split up. you may think that the prices are pretty cheap, because you pay by the saucer. it does add up though. me being a huge fan of japanese food, i could easily spend 30-40 bucks here just on the food. "spicy" tuna is my fav, but it's not that spicy.
(4)Jerome J.
Fresh, tasty nigiri sushi and rolls. Somehow they seem to have the tastiest deliciously fatty cuts of fish like super white escolar, fatty salmon and fatty yellowtail and lots of tasty funky rolls. Color-coded plates make it easy to figure out the bill and they have specials for lunch and dinner monday through thursday. Grabbing your food from the rotating conveyor belt is fun, but if you don't see what you want for a while, you can always order through your server. We're there almost every week, and keep coming back.
(4)Emaan K.
My friend took me here, and I was a little iffy about it up until the moment I sat down. Even though it was packed, we were seated in 15 minutes (they work fast). Honestly, the second I saw that conveyor belt cool-ness, I was bought. I seriously wanted to grab everything, but then I realized once you grab it, you absolutely CANNOT put it back even if you barely touched it. There's a menu, too, in case you want to change the regular rolls in any way (ex: no tobiko/fish eggs), but it comes pretty fast. My friend ordered a shrimp tempura with no tobiko, and it came in under 2 minutes. This place is pretty cheap, but it obviously depens on how much you get. I took some home for my fiance, so my total ended up being about 20. Half a star off because the sushi itself isn't AMAZING, but it's still good. A lot better than Chi-Tung's sushi (blah!) As for service, I see people complain about it, but I loved it. The hostess was really nice, and the waiters were always around making sure we had everything we needed at all times. My diet coke was always refilled, and the check came as soon as they asked us if we were done. The other half star off is because I felt rushed at the end as I was gathering my things and getting my wallet since they stand over you. I mean, I get it, you guys are fast, but seriously, give me 2 seconds to just pick up my doggie bag.
(4)Brady H.
We've gone many times since my earlier review, but last night we noticed prices have gone up. For example, the cheapest plate is now $1.25 - that is a 25% increase for my tomago and saba!!! The place is still fun, but just doesn't seem to be as great a bargain. They are trying to go more upscale and for $1 on top of the standard plate price, you can have one of several "toppings." All I'm saying is the price/quality ratio has diminished with the recent price increases.
(4)Esther K.
i love this place! it is so delicious! they really need to get new covers for the plates, because about half of them are cracked. godzilla rolls, pheonix rolls and the tempura rolls are definitely a favorite! the biggest issue is waiting for an open seat. good luck to anyone trying to find one... try to come here during lunch hours otherwise you'll be crying when you see your check.
(4)Will C.
Great place for a genuine sushi experience. Good price and a great selection.
(5)Robert S.
Great food good prices. Reminds me of a few places I have been to in Tokyo. DON'T be afraid to special order something.
(5)Sabrina P.
It's affordable, organized, and satisfies my sushi cravings. The conveyor belt idea is fun and creative!
(4)Andie W.
If you're on a go and in the mood for sushi, this is your place! The novelty of the restaurant is what keeps this place moving. Think buffet style, food is served on a conveyor belt from the kitchen. It's actually quite neat because you don't have to bother your waitress, only for misc. things like refills on your drinks. It's nice because as soon as you are seated you can start eating, you don't have to wait to order. I do suggest not going during peak hours, it can get quite full since there aren't that many tables. And if you have a large group ( five or more), forget about this place, it'll take a while to get accommodated. Overall: Cleanliness: A Food: A Prices: A Service: A --------------------- Grade: A
(4)Michael M.
I discovered Sushi Station since I had to go two doors down to the Gamestop to buy my Xbox 360 a couple months ago. God, am I glad I found this place! It is too awesome. The sushi is excellent and I found that everything was priced fairly. My girlfriend and I had a filling sushi dinner for about $13 a piece after tax. I tried a bunch of different dishes and not one was disappointing. Plus, we had green tea ice cream for dessert and they were only $1 a piece. How can you beat that? And hey, your food comes on a conveyor belt and you get to see the fish prepared right there by the chefs. The fun factor of that alone is worth heading out to Rolling Meadows for a visit. Sushi Station is now my official sushi place.
(5)Kwoky L.
Sushi Station is my go-to place for the freshest sushi in town. Pick ready made sushi from the conveyor belt section and order whatever that's not available from the menu. They will freshly make them and deliver them right to your table. They also have more interesting choices compared to other sushi restaurants. My favorites are grand fatty tuna (O-toro) that melts in your mouth, the juiciest white tuna, and sea urchin. Mmm...
(5)Susie C.
This place is awesome! I like how the sushi turns and you can choose whatever you want. Sushi is pretty good, have quite a tasty selection. If there aren't any in the conveyor belt, you can order them through a waitress. There's a menu provided. They greet you when you walk in and when you leave.
(4)Nancy C.
It is worth the commute! It's a fun environment with the conveyer belt displaying rolls, sashimi, dessert, salads... Great variety of food and the fish is FRESH. Also, there is no wait for food. You just sit and start picking food off the belt that orbits the restaurant. You do have the option of placing orders at no additional cost, though. I'm satisfied every time I go. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes sushi.
(4)Patty V.
Not bad sushi, not great sushi,either. Nice when you are in the mood to pick a few different things and graze,smaller portions than full sized rolls and LOTS to choose from. If you want to try something new, no big deal if you aren't crazy about it,it won't cost much. Just pick another plate as it swings your way. I do feel kinda like a pig here, with all my plates stacked up, but what the hell, enjoy!!
(3)T N.
I have lived in the Chicago area for almost 4 years. I have lived all over the country eating sushi. I have traveled to Tokyo on vacation and ate sushi almost every day for a week. I have been to the largest fish market in Tokyo to see 800 pound tuna flown in the night before sold on the auction block in the AM. Sushi is easy to find. Good sushi is hard to find. Great sushi in a traditional Japanese style restaurant is almost impossible, until I went to Sushi Station. This is in the top three best sushi restaurants I have been to in the United States. The conveyor belt and colored plate system is probably the best way to try the different pieces you want, without having to buy a 6-8 piece roll of something that wasn't that good. You get 2 - 4 pieces per plate on a continuous conveyor belt that is always loaded with fresh pieces that move right by your table. Just open the door for the belt, grab your plate and enjoy. No waiting for the waitress to swing by, no long ticket line up for the sushi chef to get to your order, and great fresh fish. And if you don't see what you want, just ask and they will make it for you. Want to try something different, there is little commitment because you get a couple of pieces to taste. The spicy scallops were excellent. The Otoro was extremely fresh. The staff was attentive to point of almost hovering, but they had a large number of staff on at the lunch hour to keep things moving. The only downside is that the restaurant should be larger. We got there early enough to get a table right away, but it fills quickly and the wait builds quickly. Also, the biggest table only seats 6 or 7, so don't expect them to put any tables together for a large group. If you want a light club experience with dim lights for a romantic evening, don't go here. If you want great sushi in a true Japanese style restaurant, this is the place to go. Great food. Great staff. Reasonably priced. We were in and out in 30 minutes.
(5)Katelyn C.
Sushi constantly passing your table with signs that describes what is inside?! AMAZING! I love that you get to see what you are eating before you order it! If it isn't coming around then order it off the menu! The only problem is you never know how long it has been in there going around in circles... The staff is funny and helpful. There can be a longer wait, but it is definitely worth it! It is reasonably priced, but I wouldn't go there hungry because it does add up quickly! The colors of the plates tell you how expensive everything is and it is super helpful. If you don't get the sweet seats by the conveyer belt make sure your friends listen when you tell them to grab you a plate! It is a lot of fun and in a way entertaining. I would recommend it for younger people. If you are ever around the Woodfield area shopping, stop in for a fun meal!
(4)Kortney M.
I must say that I love the idea of conveyor belt sushi places. I love seeing with my mouth what to eat, its so hard for me ordering sushi because if it looks gross I wont eat it. I like that they have a fridge fashioned over the conveyor belt also, I have been to other places where they dont have this and the sushi gets all yucky.
(3)Jessica M.
I wont be back. I originally went because a friend said it was amazing. I was not impressed the place seemed kind of dirty to me and we were waiting 30 mins to be seated. After we were seated (at the END of the conveyor belt) it seemed like we had to wait forever before a roll or a dish that we actually want to eat would come by. Alot of the less-popular items i saw make a full rotation on the belt at least 6 times.. I dont know about you but i dont want raw fish thats been rolling around a conveyor belt for 45 mins. I believe out of the 9 rolls my table got i only cared for one of them. This place was very cheap though i can say that.. but i feel like your very rushed and they like to grab your plates ASAP so that way you dont like stick a plate in your purse and they loose the 3.95 for that plate... PLEASE but yea their ON IT they dont wanna loose a cent. 2 stars for the cool idea... but everything else was garbage..
(2)Jacky S.
gross... If you like sushi station... then you havnt had really good sushi before. Im not sure if it is the rice that is mushy.. but something is off key...
(2)Hawon J.
I do not understand how this place got such good reviews from people. Yes, it is indeed a unique experience but that is pretty much it. Sushi taste mediocre at the best. I'll probably never go back to here.
(2)Grace L.
Quality of fish isn't all that great. However, I love the concept of conveyor belt. Except I feel the speed of the conveyor belt is quite fast. Also they have great service.
(3)J P.
I had a friend bring me here for a lunch after work and it was a pretty fun and interesting experience, pretty original! The sushi was pretty good too. Mostly I liked the fact that you don't have to purchase an entire roll, you get 1-2 pieces a plate and you can really take risks and try new things! Usually, Im scared to order anything but my usual but when I went here, I picked up a lot of different items from the little conveyer belt and didn't feel bad that I had just wasted around 2 bucks if I didn't like it, but mostly, I liked it. And to the posters who said it wasn't fresh since it was running on a conveyer belt all day. We were there a while, and trust me the sushi rolls were getting picked up fast, I didn't see anything roll around for more than 3 times so I highly doubt sushi has been rolling around for a very long time! They also have yummy dessert pieces which were really good!
(5)Chase K.
Love this place! You get to try a variety of sushi for what you would pay for two dishes a wine and dine sushi restaurant. To be honest this isn't a romantic place to bring a date, if you want a complete dinning experience this isn't the place. This place a place to bring your friends and have sushi. From my experience because I've been many times before and here's my tip. To get the fresh sushi order from the chief. Same price for fresher food! Love the smoke silver head samon! I definitely recommend or at least try it once.
(4)Victoria B.
The whole reason for our visit was the conveyor belt or "kaiten (revolving) Sushi". The first time I ever saw one of these was during our honeymoon in San Francisco. I was in love with the place without even seeing it. We went on a Friday night to the Rolling Meadows location and got in right before the rush but the place was packed. We waited about 15 minutes for a spot at the "bar" and surveyed the assortment of Nigiri Sushi and Maki Rolls. They had regular items like Philadelphia Rolls and California Rolls but we like to try different things, and boy did we. The out of the ordinary ones were a Shark fin and Jellyfish Maki Roll, a Corn Maki Roll, and a "Volcano" Maki Roll, to name a few. I was so into the food I didn't pay any attention to anything or anybody around me. I was equally impressed to find out the offered dessert via the conveyor belt. I tried the Mizu Manju (clear jelly dumplings with red bean paste). I was in heaven that night. I like it because it was fast, clean, the staff was friendly and most of all it was easy on the old pocket book. I recommend Sushi Station to anyone who either loves Sushi or hasn't tried it. However if you're looking for a laid back place to hang with your mates, this may not be the place. I didn't feel rushed by the staff but I could feel the eyes of the other costumers waiting to eat. The best part was, we were in and out with a full stomach for under $40. That is very rare when it comes to Sushi. I recently was on Randall Road in Elgin where their second location is. The place is HUGE! I'm trying that one next.
(5)Greg T.
Lots of fun, decent sushi and a good value. Great for a quick meal of sushi with the kids.
(4)Olga L.
I really like this place! It's not my top choice for sushi, but it works if you're looking for something last minute. The conveyor belt aspect of it is fun and everything is really cheap.
(4)Stefan L.
OK but nothing special. A few of my sashimi picks, via the conveyor belt, were room temp at best. Not going back.
(3)Lisa D.
How can you not be excited about sushi on a conveyor belt!? That was my initial draw to the place, but the quality and price kept me coming back. What I like most is the fact that you can try a little bit of any roll you would like, and not have to commit to the whole roll like at most sushi places. The ones that you NEED to try whenever you stop there are the Hanako and godzilla rolls. This is a great place for sushi virgins. They will be able to sample without a full commitment!
(4)Jen L.
Okay, may not be the best food in the world and I only eat what's vegetarian on the menu, but the idea of sushi rolling around on a conveyor belt inside a little plastic tube is so adorable, is it not?? The service is quick, and the food is wonderfully cheap. This is the place to go for a quick fix if you need your sushi FAST! However there is the chance of Sushi Station being very busy, which happens more often than not, so If you need that quick fix I would suggest calling your order in to take it to go. Yum, car sushi. So messy, yet so good. :)
(4)roberto a.
Plates of sushi brought right in front of you by a covered conveyor belt, where you open a partition in front of you and grab your selection. Ahhh, I'm in heaven. Short of someone actually feeding me the sushi by hand, this is an experience that is unique among your typical urban Pan-Asian sushi joints or all you can eat places like Todai. Upon entering the place you are seated communal style in front of a moving conveyor belt with pieces of sushi placed on color coded plates. The plate color indicates how much each serving will cost you. A plate of neutral color separates each group of sushi and usually has a sign telling you what the next containers have on them. Each plate contains an even numbered serving suitable for sharing with 2 people. If you wish to order a full roll or special order from the menu, you simply flag down your server or get the attention of one of the cook staff. The sushi rolls tend to be larger than average, but at least this place doesn't skimp by adding excess rice. Pricing tends to be random, some simple rolls seemed expensive, while some complicated rolls seemed under-priced, while custom or menu items are all at the high end of the scale. In any event they all tasted very good. In particular the Nigiri portions were generous. I've seen many places where the slice of fish barely covers the underlying rice. Not with Sushi Station. Many slices completely draped the rice which is a rare treat to see. Now for the practical side of things. At the end of you meal, the server will come around and count up each colored dish and add the total to any special orders you made. You then pay at the cashier so the staff can clean up your area for other customers. The meal price was reasonable- $27 a person and although we did not gorge ourselves silly, we did do some damage thanks to a menu order. A few words of caution. It is very easy to go overboard with the price, but if you do, at least it's worth it. Also, the conveyor belt does not stop when you lift your partition to grab the passing plates. Be sure to have a firm grip on your selection or else wait for it to come around again. No need to drop your plate or jam up the belt, and risk embarrassment, and unneeded expense. Finally, this is not the place to bring large groups, at least if you want to sit all together, and not have to wait long. If you have a large group- go someplace else, you'll appreciate it...but then ditch that group and bring one or two people back. They'll thank you. Pros: No skimping on portions, prices for selections are well posted, wide variety to try, novel serving method (at least to Americans...typical in Asia). Cons: Not the best place to take groups, out in the 'burbs, at the edge of a mall shared with a Sam's Club, easy to turn your bill into an expensive meal out, service attitude can be on the cold side. To Sum It Up: The conveyor belt would make a nifty screen saver, with rolls passing by at random. Yummmmm. Well, if you ever need an excuse to goto Rolling Meadows, this is it.
(4)Phillie P.
Man.... just watching sushi on that conveyor belt is entertainment. Too bad this place isn't a buffet. The sushi is VERY DECENT. The service is good. The price is right. There's a small wait for the sushi you want to make it back to you. Then again.. you get to watch all that sushi go by. Minus 1 star for being so far for me (I live in the WestTown/ Ukranian Village area) I say $11 on an average for me.. because that's how much I end up eating..!! Otherwise if you watch yourself. you can definitely keep it under 10.
(4)Douglas B.
So let's get it out of the way.... This place has a conveyor belt with all sorts of goodies rotating around the restaurant hitting every table. They have a little sign telling you what the food is and a few plates of that food following it. The gimmick is you open the little space contraption, pull out the plate and eat. Each plate has a different color and you pay a different price depending on the color. So the food is ok... its not the best. But what I like is the variety you get. they have a delicious squid salad. I mostly get their nigiri because their maki can bet rather big. The Uni is not bad and the udon is tastey as well. They are tasting portions so that's what's nice. You don't have to pay for items you don't end up liking or filling up on the same items. You can also order off the menu and if its not on the belt then they can make it for you. It's a bit of a drive for us from Chicago, so we go once in a while.
(3)Frankie L.
This was my first time here & I ordered carryout. When I first walked in I was a little skeptical because it kinda looked cheesy. well, Im there for the sushi and I must say it was quite good and very reasonably priced! I will return.
(3)Phil S.
Not, by any means, high quality but tasty in it's own way. The idea is novel and the average person loves the way the belt tantalizes as it smoothly whisks various colored dishes of overpriced rolls and nigiri past you. A visual appetizer followed closely by instant gratification that the ADD generation of today demands. I like coming here once in a while to wait in cramped spaces for 30 plus minutes to try to enjoy sushi that falls apart because they were poorly constructed and then sent around the room for 30 minutes before finally being picked off the display line like some sort of orphaned child. I always go in with the intention of only trying a few dishes then leaving with my sushi craving satiated but my wallet intact. I haven never once been able to overcome overindulgence and have consistently come away with a $50+ bill for two people. Stupid, I know but unavoidable. The one thing that really, really bothers me is that they allow a grill to be used out in the middle of the restaurant without a vent hood overhead. The last thing that you would expect is to leave a sushi restaurant smelling like you've been cooking your own Korean BBQ without having actually eaten any of the BBQ. There is a kitchen on the other side of the wall with proper ventilation so please do your grilling over there because nobody wants to see a non-Japanese guy act like he has some sort of skill in manipulating a spatula when people can't even see him beyond the conveyor belt cover. Please, for the love of food, don't kill the little flavor your sushi contains by invading my nasal cavity with your offensive grill odors. It is a very, very stupid idea.
(3)Katie M.
I really love coming to this place, and I've been twice now. The sushi is delicious! Some of the rolls are a bit too big to get in one bite, but they're tasty none the less! Since you can just get dishes off the conveyor belt, the service is fast, and you can take as long or as little time as you'd like. I've never had to wait for service if I needed a drink, or wanted sushi that wasn't on the conveyor belt. Fast, moderately priced, and delicious. What more could you ask for?
(5)Jackie M.
We finally got to try this place, because there was no wait! Every other time we've tried, the wait was too long for us. We loved it! The sushi was amazing and fresh. Loved the option of seeing before you choose it. My husband is allergic to shellfish and I am avoiding raw fish, so we were both able to eat plenty within our limits, and it was awesome! And very good prices!
(4)Lauren B.
I don't really like eating there, because the food isn't as fresh. I mean, it's still FRESH, and it's not awful. But, you know, it's been on the belt for a little bit. But when we order out (which is now what we opt for the majority of the time), our food is always ready right when I get there, and it is SO DELICIOUS! It's great sushi, some pretty creative dishes, and it's ridiculously affordable for the quality you get (when you order out, in my opinion)! Oh, and the staff is always great. :)
(4)Pari P.
There's some mesmerizing quality of sushi on a conveyor belt. It's the same as a cat to a fishbowl. You simply can't help but stare at the sushi go around and then see it again several minutes later. This place gets packed quickly and you are often waiting at least 20 minutes to be seated. The sushi itself isn't spectacular but the variety and the price keeps bringing me back. You can try various types of maki rolls and nigiri sushi for considerably less. At a normal sushi restaurant, a maki roll will cost $8-15. Here, you can try several different kinds of sushi for the same price. It's great for those who love sushi but hate how expensive it can be. Although most of the combinations involve salmon, tuna, and shrimp, the variations are creative using soy paper, guacamole, and even corn. The hanako roll in particular is a delicious bite with different textures. It has imitation crab, green onions, tempura chips, cream cheese, mayo, and teriyaki sauce. Sounds odd but it works. Helpful tip, don't bring your first date here because of the cat and fishbowl phenomenon. If you do, it'll be a cheap date but hardly any words will be exchanged.
(5)Shelly M.
If you plan on going to Sushi Station, go before the dinner rush, so you won't have to wait as long.. I am giving this restaurant a 3/5 because I like the concept and the conveyor belt, but the sushi is just okay. Positives: You are able to see the sushi and know what ingredients are in it before you pick it. I like that the sushi is ready and you can start eating right when you are seated. The staff are friendly. Negatives: Not authentic sushi.
(3)Cristie F.
An experience like no other...in a good way! "Kaiten Sushi" concept: sushi is served to you by a conveyor belt and is widely popular in Japan. And Rolling Meadows. So what goes on here you ask? Well, you walk in the door and either have to wait 20 minutes if they're busy, or are quickly seated at the bar (or a table) around the conveyor belt filled with sushi dishes. The belt moves clockwise with a variety of sushi & appetizer plates, priced based on the color of the plate. The conveyor belt is protected by a plastic dome with a sliding door at every seat. ((So for you germaphobes, no worries...most likely your food has not been tainted by other patrons who select a plate and quickly put it back - gross...)) You pick and choose your dishes as you like, and stack your plates to the side for the server to figure out your bill when you're finished. Is the sushi fantastic and high quality? Nope. But it's decent, it's inexpensive, and there's a wide variety to choose from. The rolls are typically smaller (3-4 pieces) which allows you to try a variety. There's also appetizers, deserts, and nigiri sushi to choose from. If you don't see what you're looking for on the conveyor belt, you can always order it from your server. Personally, I'm a fan of the tamago, spicy veggie rolls, and gyoza. NOM. A few tips: - Go when they first open, or expect a wait - the place is packed quickly. - It might not be as inexpensive as you think....those pretty little pastel plates add up quickly. - Don't expect great service. It is what it is. - If you don't see what you're looking for, ask your server. They will either find it for you, or have the chef make it. - Specials at lunch time! Definitely give Sushi Station a whirl - it's a unique and fun experience. Sit back, relax, and let the sushi come to you.
(4)Shannon S.
I saw this restaurant on a local restaurant review show. The things that stood out in my mind were, "all rolls are between $3 - $6", "traditional Japanese way to eat sushi" and, "conveyor belt". The restaurant is a pretty far drive from Chicago for a meal but it happens to be right around the half way point to my moms house so I decided to meet her for lunch and give it a try. The restaurant was definitely hopping. When we walked in we were given a ticket and told to go to the "waiting room". The waiting room happened to be a few chairs against the far wall of the restaurant. While there we had some time to check out the lay of the land and prepare our attack on this electronic sushi servant. We only had to wait about 10-15 minutes before we were given a table next the action. I insisted on sitting next to the sushi conveyor and got my way. The big sell on this place is definitely the mechanism for which you receive your food. All of my lunch companions were equally as excited as me. Sushi just rolls past at a constant rate each one proceeded by a small sign with the name of the item and a brief description. They also have a menu you can order from for specialty items or things that just aren't stocked at the time you want it. As far as the sushi goes I'd say it was a let down. In my opinion it was on the low end as far as quality goes and just boring. All of the standard sushi restaurant items that I tried like maguro sashimi, spicy tuna roll and raw scallop were just not up to par with anything I'm used to eating. The cuts weren't the right proportion and some of the sushi and sashimi had issues with coloring. Yikes! The things they did try to get inventive on just missed the mark (shrimp and corn roll?!?! it was weird). And some of it was just scary. I think we shot a picture of the jellyfish and shark fin roll every time it passed. I was expecting the prices to be low based on the reviews I had seen. The individual plates were priced low from the $3 - $6 range depending on the color of the plate. However, most of the maki was plated with only 4 very small rolls. My son doesn't eat sushi so when we first sat I ordered him crab rangoon and potstickers. The crab rangoon came out almost immediately and was three of the tiniest things I'd ever seen. The potstickers were actually pretty decent but after about 30 minutes of the waitress not bringing them out I grabbed an order off the line as it rode past only to have her bring another order out 15 minutes after that. With 3 adults and one 6 year old eating lunch the bill was $71. I thought it was extremely high for lunch for us especially since we weren't eating nearly as much as we would at a place with better quality sushi and rolls. The bottom line is that I will not be returning. It was an interesting experience but you can get a much higher quality and more enjoyable sushi experience just about anywhere else.
(2)Carrie J.
Anyone who enjoys sushi must visit this place! Preferably during their lunch hours because it's worth it and it's fun too! I love sushi. But its pretty expensive and it adds up if you order 2 or more rolls and so forth. Now Sushi Station offers a pay by the plate deal, about 2 or 3 pieces per plate, during lunch time and they roll out their options on a conveyor belt. All you have to do is pick the plates of your choice and enjoy! It's a great way to sample what they have to offer and prevent your wallet from crying.
(4)Latha C.
As good as it gets for conveyor belt sushi...obviously, quick service even if you order off the menu, cheap, fresh AND it's good!! My absolute favorite sushi joint outside of the city....sure there's a few upscale sushi restaurants in the northern burbs, but I'm not really much of a fan of those big, cannot fit in your mouth type of rolls. I like my small, simple rolls where you can actually taste the fish without all these sauces and fried crumbs all over the place. Heck, you probably wouldn't even know if they put some other kind of fish in the roll or any fish at all with all these new, over priced and over stuffed rolls! My 4 year old daughter loves the place....and gets the udon soup (the large portion) and eats the entire thing by herself with chopsticks. Even the Korean staff (it's a Korean owned sushi joint) were impressed by my daughter's chopstick skills :) Ok, had to show off my kin a little, when I had the chance :)
(5)Linda L.
My husband and I eat here all the time. They vary in service and the one weird thing is that this place does no "lunch specials" during holidays. They consider "holiday" a week long for Christmas till after new years. Thats just weird...holiday is the holiday-- not holiday week. They dont always make it clear so you would go in and wait 45 min in line to be seated and THEN they tell you- by the way no lunch specials. They know people go there for specials most the time. Its a good deal. The sushi is yummy but depending on who greets you and who your waitress is it varies. I would say we come here mainly for their lunch specials but not really any other time. There is one lady who is super rude- the older one with short curly hair. The other greeters are generally nice. They really dont have much to lose because people are always going to go there and eat because its cheap and easy, and they will wait in line for it. But when something bad happens its- sorry nothing we can do even when you contact their corporate offices. So I give this 2 starts for service and quality, but taste is pretty ok. Its not made by quality chefs though by all means so if you want real sushi this isnt the place...
(2)Michael R.
The sushi isn't bad, but the real draw here is the sushi conveyor belt and the variety of dishes. If you haven't experienced the sushi conveyor belt, you're in for a good time. You basically grab little plates of sushi as they come by. The color of the plate indicates the price and the plates are preceded by a small sign indicating what's on the plate. The fun part is that you never know what's coming next so there can be angst about what to grab (assuming your stomach isn't bottomless.) They have fun with the dishes and you'll see some bizarre combinations like toasted coconut, pineapple, and crab or chicken and BBQ sauce, but most of it is traditional favorites. You may have to wait 15-20 minutes at peak times.
(3)Calvin H.
Ridiculously busy though they may have been, they very handily made up for it with a crazy variety and insane flavor. Instead of teasing you with a menu, they do many better and tease you with a full-on visual display crawling by on a conveyor. All you need to do if you really want something is to just grab it! Never before has looking at a menu tasted so good! Priced just right, this is a good pick for a night out with friends (though again, you will need to be prepared to wait a while).
(4)Natalie S.
Fun! I've had conveyor belt sushi in London at Yo! Sushi but didn't realize we had a place similar in concept in the Chicagoland area. Low and behold, I saw Sushi Station on Check, Please! and wanted to go. I was with the moms and little dude, doing some shopping in the burbs, and I used our close proximity as an excuse to stop in. There were quite a few people ahead of us in line so I was surprised a table came up so quickly. I guess that's the advantage of conveyor belts; you're in and out and tables turn fast. Frankly, the sushi was good but nothing to write home about. But the fact that it was cheap, fresh and fun makes it a 4 star place in my book. The next time we're Ikea-ing I'm going to make another stop in, but I dunno if it's worth the trek all the way from the city just to eat here. FYI: the largest table in the place seats only 7 so it's not great for groups.
(4)Christy S.
One of my favorite sushi places! Been going hear for more than a year and it's absolutely awesome! Sushi is served on a conveyer belt, so you can see exactly what you're getting before you order it (if you're new to sushi, this is very helpful). There is another menu you can order from as well, and they'll bring you the food. I usually always go for lunch just to make it to their lunch specials! I highly recommend their dynamite roll, Godzilla roll, san diego roll, and the classics like spicy tuna and philadelphia rolls. Their fried Shumai and gyoza are my favorite appetizers! And I always end my meal with the chocolate covered marshmallows (YUMMM)! The whole experience leaves your tummy and wallet very happy! The only downfall is that it's very small and it gets really crowded esp during lunch. The "waiting area" is nonexistent. So people waiting for seats are just standing around watching you eat. The waiters are nice but they tend to stand around and watch you eat as well, so you feel the need to rush your meal. A few rolls that i didn't like at all- spider and a few of the tempura ones (sorry i forgot exactly which ones). I definitely recommend going to sushi station! I've introduced this place to so many of my friends, even a few sushi haters, and they've all loved it! :)
(4)Jinah Y.
I used to love Sushi Station but the customer service and quality seems to be diminishing. You typically have minimal interaction with the wait staff since most items are pulled off a conveyor belt... so you would think they would be a bit friendlier. There is always a wait here since this location is smaller (relative to Elgin) but that does not justify rushing customers out. There were people clearing my table including my drink before I had a chance to look at the bill. The Godzilla roll and Phoenix are probably my 2 favorites but the Phoenix off the belt was sub-par during my last visit. I am hesitant to keep going back to this place even though it is one of the cheaper options for sushi.
(3)V C.
Affordable, quick sushi but you get what you pay for. We didn't feel well after we ate here. We swore we wouldn't go back when we left. You're better off spending more for a better quality product!
(2)Nicholas P.
Love this place. It's affordable and fun. It's not the best sushi in town, but it's very good for the price and good quality for the price. Fun for the family.
(5)Colleen D.
Maybe it is the novelty of the conveyor belt. Maybe it is because I can eat as much as I want without the guilt of ordering like a piggie to waitstaff. Maybe it is because they have lots of rolls that are very American-ized -- fake crab, avocado, cream cheese and some sort of off sauce. I like this place but it is not the best I have ever had. The smoked salmon was a bit flavorless and I was too chicken to choose the shumai that were going around and around on the conveyor. Bottom line -- there were lots of great options, especially if you are not a sushi purist or prefer shellfish over regular fish. Not great but does not suck. And the conveyor belt is just cool.
(4)Bianca S.
Over crowed like you're rubbing elbows with the stranger next to you. Fast food quality. The wait to get seated isn't worth it all that much.
(2)Jeff P.
DON'T GO HERE Please AND KIM THE SO CALLED OWNER IS RUDE! We've been going here for years and WAS a big fan of SS. Not anymore. Went there for lunch with my wife and 20 month old son. My son is allergic to a lot of things and last time we were there we tried their kids menu rubber chicken nuggets for my son and he had an allergic reaction. Probably use peanut oil or fry everything in the same basket. My son has shell fish allergy as well. So we were about to be seated and I stopped by McDonald's before to pick up a happy meal and then the rude manager/owner Kim said no outside food allowed we have kids menu. I tried talking nicely telling her that we've tried your rubber chicken before but my son is allergic to most of your stuff. We'll be eating plenty of sushi my wife and I to make up for the $5 you charge for a kids plate. But the manager with her broken English, not truly understanding the situation was not AT ALL sensitive to our situation. Similar to Marcelo's review the management treats the customer like crap. I will never go here again and I've easily spent hundreds of dollars through the years at both the Rolling Meadows and Elgin location. I will miss the true genuine sushi chefs Jose and Juan who roll the sushi there but I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK BECAUSE OF THEIR TERRIBLE MANAGEMENT THERE! Bye bye sushi station it was nice knowing you.
(1)Monica B.
This is the kind of place you need to experience once because of its fun factor but that's it. The sushi is not top quality. I have had better sushi and maki from the grocery store! I definetly won't be back. I heard the rotary sushi bar in Aurora near Fox Valley mall is much better, so I will give this concept a try again, I just didn't care for the food here.
(3)Mark B.
That was the worst quality sushi I have ever had. I will never eat there again.
(1)A K.
I just love love love sushi station. High quality sushi, awesome ingredients, great prices. Basically the perfect place for me.
(5)Marta R.
Freshness is a bit hit and miss, but for the money you can't really fault them. I think take out is not quite as good as eating in. Also menu is quite wide with o-toro, ikura and uni on a menu. Granted neither of those are the best quality, but again quite ok for the money. I am a fan and will come back very soon
(4)Jenny V.
meh. its a cool concept but i wasn't satisfied with the sushi. the one i liked best was probably the spicy tuna because it had spicy mayo on top. a lot of the rolls had a GINORMOUS amount of cucumber stuffed into it. that means i can't get the roll in my mouth. sorry to my table mates for my mess. i might go here again, but definitely will not recommend. i want to think about how awesome my food is even after i'm done eating. and sushi station does not do it for me. sorry.
(2)Brian D.
You spin me right round baby right round, like conveyor belt sushi baby right round right round! This place suits my inner need to view my food before I eat it. I typically will order something off of a menu more often than not if it has a picture, and seeing the menu rotate around the restaurant at all times is very appealing. The food itself is pretty good, although not quite up to par with some higher scale sushi places. The amount of fish that come with the rolls is usually a bit light, especially if you've had rolls from Mitsuwa Market in Arlington Heights. Sushi para in palatine also has all you can eat sushi for about the same price you'll end up paying here. But going back to the conveyor belt design, that's what keeps me coming back. It's fun watching your next dish slowly make its way around the room. The food itself is also pretty good, just not the best in the area.
(4)Jessica M.
Sushi on a conveyor belt? WHAT GENIUS THOUGHT OF THIS?! This place was hopping at 7pm on a Thursday night but we didn't mind. Once we were seated, we got a couple of beers and the sushi just kept coming around. It's neat that the pricing is set up via the color of the plate you pick - keeps it simple. The sushi is decent - but like Mark F. said you never know how long it's been going 'round and 'round. That said, I kept it simple with rolls I am familiar with. Would totally go back!
(4)Justin L.
Decent sushi, decent conveyor belt place, but nothing special. I love conveyor belt sushi places and have been going to them for at least 10+ years (just not in this country) and this is a good attempt at it, but I think they take the creative rolls too far, and don't make enough conveyor offerings of traditional sushi (nigiri and sashimi). I had to make several orders off the menu to get what I wanted, but at least that's an option. Overall... I wouldn't recommend this place for sushi loves in general, but for the novelty factor, why not one visit.
(3)Steve K.
Disclaimer: HUGE SUSHI SNOB. The quality of sushi is surprisingly better than expected. Variety is not the issue here. All the common sushi and specialty rolls are available. The weird part for me is all the sushi is on a conveyor belt. Everyone sticking their hands inside to grab dishes is pretty disgusting.
(3)Andrew K.
Conveyor belt and color coded for pricing plates work great for casual sushi lunch or dinner. I usually go with the healthier options (fish/seafood and veggies, no tempura, cream cheese, masago-mayo, etc.). The fish/seafood in sushi, rolls, and salads is fresh and hence tasting great. This is the best sushi place around for the price.
(4)Neetha V.
If you love sushi and like variety, rather than sticking to just one roll.,, this is the place for you!! The conveyor belt lets you see and pick the rolls.. Which is cool!! $$ spent totally worth!!
(4)Diana G.
This was my first experience with the food conveyor for sushi. It was fun. The sushi was good, but not the best. A very good place to go with friends to experience something different and fun. Selection wasn't a lot, but enough. There was quite a few different type sushi that you can order off the menu. I love unagi and I thought it was great here! Also, love the sushi wallpaper. Very cute.
(4)Phyllis S.
This is a place to go for a unique experience and it is reasonably inexpensive. Not a bad place to take first timers for sushi, because there is a lot of newbie-friendly items with cooked ingredients. Also, they have food that isn't just sushi and some creative spins on classic dishes using different ingredients. (LOTS of mayo-based sauce toppings, for example.) The plates are color-coded to indicate price. I find it is easy to run up a big tab, if one is not paying attention to the colors, cause I get carried away by the experience. Now, the sushi on the conveyor belt is not always SUPER fresh. (After all, it's been going on a conveyor belt around the restaurant, right?) However, sushi aficionados can just pick up the menu and order whatever they want. That sushi IS very fresh and very quickly brought to you. I would also mention that they have some AWESOME deals for lunchtime during the week. (Like $1.25 specials) However, if you go on a Friday at lunch time, be prepared to wait a bit to sit down. I've noticed a trend at sushi restaurants. It seems like these days, they've started to go away from scoops of green tea ice cream and are more likely to serve mochi. That's fine if you like mochi, but I can stand to skip the extra carbs. (Mochi is a ball of icecream wrapped in a glutinous rice dough and dusted with powdered sugar.) I prefer my ice cream by the scoop, and that's what they have here. YAY! Pros: FUN! Unusual experience. Fairly inexpensive. They have non-sushi items on the menu. Cons: Can be loud and crowded.
(3)Darren F.
eh... i don't think sushi station is all that... in my opinion their sushi is just average.. comparable to sushi buffet quality... they do have more varieties to choose from now since the last time i went, which was many years back... i do like the idea of the food moving around on a belt tho.. just grab the plate out when you see something you like.. if you a big eater like me, prepare to spend a lot! they charge you by plate colors.. each color plate is a certain price.. as much as i want to like sushi station.. the food is just not good enough for the price I'm paying..
(2)Kris L.
I checked out Sushi Station this week after last weekends appearance on Check Please! which I probably wont do again because it was packed at 8:00 pm on a Monday. No big deal I got seated at the sushi bar with the conveyor belt rockin sushi around the place in only 15 minutes anyway. I would say a few of the other yelpers have it right the place is fun because of the conveyor belt turbo food delivery system they have but after the novelty wears off the fish is just ok. The fatty salmon on Monday smelled a little, the tuna was ok and the unagi was oddly cut but fired fresh. The seared shumai were good and so were the potstickers if you got them just when they were made but there is no guarantee of that since they ride the conveyor belt. You can order anything off the menu to be sure you get it right after it was made if you really want to be sure. I would say it was fun, very reasonably priced and maybe a good place to introduce kids to sushi so for those reasons give it a try.
(3)Matt S.
Conveyor belt sushi restaurant! The bar is rectangular shaped: bar stools and tables line the edges, food items travel along, and you select what plate you want as it passes by. The plates are color coded for pricing. For example, a white plate is ~$1 while a green plate is ~$4. As you finish the plates, you keep them in a stack and when you're ready for the check, your server will tally up what you ate. Pretty cool experience! There is a good selection to choose from. Sushi includes various veggie and meat combinations with both spicy and/or subtle flavors. You can order from the menu (it has the same items on the conveyor belt) if you didn't want to wait for something to pass by. Menu has appetizers, dessert, and a few beers that aren't circulating. Portions are fairly small for everything. Think between 2-4 pieces on a single plate. Prices are reasonable. You could try 7 different dishes and pay maybe $20 so it's definitely not a ripoff. The place is small so you'll probably have to wait to be seated. Definitely not the best place for a large group. No real waiting area unfortunately. People basically wait all around the perimeter of the restaurant watching everyone in the center eating. Staff is friendly enough, attentive, and the bathroom is kind of nice too. Totally cool experience that everyone should check out!
(4)Justin H.
First off, let me start by saying it is NO Genki Sushi, but for a kaiten sushi spot in Chicago, its not too bad. The service was really good, tea was filled and we were asked a few times how our dinner was going. But where it was lacking for me was with the sushi itself, nothing really stood out and it just was all around average to me. Some of the rolls were huge and hard to eat in one bite but yet too messy to get it in two lol. Anyways.. all in all this place was OK, if I lived here then I would probably be a frequent customer, although I would end up being a hypocrite, talking about missing sushi back in Seattle but yet still stuffing my face and stacking up those little plates next to me.
(3)Rob W.
Good place to go for "atmosphere" - but not "ambiance". The hectic, sometimes rushed experience at this place is akin to boarding a Japanese train in rush hour. The sushi is good and the conveyor belt thing is part of the schmaltz of the place. Can be hard to get what you want at times as sushi chefs are busy keeping that conveyor belt full so it can be hard to get their attention. I've heard that Sushi Station is what the norm is in Japan for many sushi restaurants. It's not among my favorite places for sushi, but I do like going there to mix it up a bit.
(3)rayna a.
Sorry, this place has low standards. To keep it brief, my sis found something about her food that even grossed out the people next to us. Nuff said.
(1)Arnie N.
While an interesting concept (I've heard this type of system is not unusual in Japan), I thought the execution could have been much better. It was basically supermarket sushi, with a 20% markup because of the conveyor system. Not bad, but hardly worth going out of your way for. Can order from the menu, which will be necessary for things like soups and whatever isn't in transit under plexi. Long story short, I've been, and don't need to do it again.
(2)Pachelbel C.
Great place for sushi beginners or non-authentic sushi lovers. For that (low) quality, paying $50 for lunch for two in weekend!? If you are looking for authentic Japanese style sushi, I wouldn't recommend unless you want mayo-base sushis.
(2)Christine K.
Average sushi but awesome atmosphere. Cheap prices which is always a plus. Go for the white plates!
(4)Aaron E.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is absolutely beautiful. The waiters get you your food within the minute and the service is great. The food by far is the best sushi I've ever had.
(5)Monica P.
Love going there when I'm in the Woodfield area because it's so fun to choose your own adventure on the revolving sushi belt. It's a good variety for a good price. If there is something on the menu you don't see you can order it. It is an in and out place, so if you want to lounge for hours this is not that type of sushi spot.
(4)Geoff F.
Friday dinner is really busy. Their rolls are good enough to get sushi satisfaction but are not the best. Good prices. You grab as much as you want since you sit at tables that sit you right at the carousel. Don't do the tuna roll though, it's pretty metallicy tasting. The Phoenix roll is good.
(3)Dale Z.
Here is a disclosure.. I am writing this review based off of service. I have been here a few times for lunch with no complaints. The food is usually better than what you would expect for a place like this... The concept is really cool.. and the only complaint I have about the sushi is the weird concoctions that dont seem to be appealing... More familiar types would be cooler. But I digress to todays encounter and debacle. I went for lunch with 4 other folks from work. We were all excited to go and when we go there, there was no wait! Usually the lunch wait is fairly long. We walk in, tell the host that we had 6 people and then he took us right to a table. Cool! Right? Wrong. My buddy miscounted and we only had 5 people. So the host comes back to the table and starts yelling at us. Seriously. He was yelling about us not all being there and that we told him 6 people but there was only 5 of us.. I mean.. this guy was on a rant. We said we miscounted and there were only 5 of us.. no big deal.. He kept yelling about us "lying" to him. Yes.. he said we lied to him about how many people we had and would have to go back up to the front and wait for the 6th person to join us.. We explained again there were only 5 of us. He still wasnt happy and kept badgering us. They asked us if we were going to wait to start eating or if we were going to eat right away. Finally he said that he would "let it slide" this time. Really? This guy caused a scene for no reason.. there still was no line at the door and plenty of other open tables. We were slightly offended but decided to stay. A couple of the people I was with were still pretty upset.. so they asked for the manager.. So the owner came over. We TRIED to explain to her what happened.. She shook her head and said "ok..ok..ok... uh huh..uh huh.. Ok .." I dont think she understood what we were saying.. I also dont thing she cared one but at all. Very unprofessional and just not good business. even though the food and atmosphere are good.. and I like the place.. the service today and the way we were treated will probably result in us not returning. Treating customers like this is uncalled for. I dont think that a customer should ever be called a liar.. especially when it was an admitted mistake with no harm done. Sometimes service is more important than the product.
(1)C.L. S.
I admit its fun watching your food roll around and it makes it easier to make your selection but its kind of gimmicky. I'd rather have better quality food at better prices. Don't get me wrong its just ok sushi nothing to write home about and you could go down the street and get the same thing, it just doesn't move around on you.
(2)Lisa S.
Is writing a review when a restaurant upsets you kind of like grocery shopping when you are hungry? Time will tell. I love sushi station, but I'm kind of mad at them. I went this weekend with a friend. We waited 45 minutes to get seated. The fairness meter in my brain tells me that if you wait for 45 minutes to get seated you should be able to sit for at least 45 minutes. The host who apologetically seated us after a long wait, apologetically kicked us out which begs the question, was he really sorry? I think we were seated for a grand total of 30 minutes but since we were finished eating we were asked to leave. I said to my friend, "This is why we should go to the Elgin one, they don't kick you out." To which the host replied, "Yah, go to the Elgin one." It was pretty rude. Its not the first time I've been asked to leave when I was finished eating. I will go to the Elgin one next time.
(3)Sarah S.
This is actually my favorite place for sushi. I love the conveyor belt! It's always a fun place to take someone who hasn't been to a conveyor belt sushi place. :) I went for lunch this week with two coworkers (I've never seen one person consume $60 of sushi alone at this place...Patrick, you're a mountain beast!) and it was great as usual. Lunch Pro-Tip: Get there right when they open at 11:30...about 20 minutes in, a wait developed. At lunch they have awesome specials! Their Godzilla roll is one of my favorites normally...hot salmon, imitation crab, and cream cheese...omnom...but to get 2 pieces for $1.50!? Amazing deal! The sushi is yummy and super cheap! You take just as much as you want and don't have to take anything extra. They have a lot of special rolls here that I haven't seen other places. My absolute favorite is the hanako roll which has tempura crumbs, cream cheese, imitation crab, green onions, topped with their special mayo & teriyaki sauce! I've never seen another sushi place have something similar. The only problem with the hanako roll is it's so big, I honestly have to cut it with a fork so I can fit it in my tiny mouth. =/ They always have a ton of nigiri and very interesting roll choices that I've never seen other places...combining things I wouldn't ever think to put in a roll. For lunch this week, one roll I ate had baby shrimps, corn, and mayo in it...so stange! But divine! Cheap, tasty non sushi eats, too like udon, tempura, gyoza. They have some delicious desserts, too, like mocha topped with red bean paste! We got green tea & red bean ice cream for our dessert this week...I would seriously die for red bean ice cream! It's marvelous! They are great about splitting checks....you tip in a big jar at the front as they yell in Japanese while you're leaving! You can also get to go from here. Not gonna lie, I've ordered a philly roll & hanako roll for pickup post work before...it's quick & easy! Definitely recommended!
(5)Courtney H.
Went here for the first time on a Friday night and though it was busy, the wait time was not unreasonable. The conveyor belt is genius and they have such a nice variety of rolls. I believe there's a menu you can order from as well, but half the fun is grabbing from the never-ending train of yummy options. The plates either come in 2 or 4 rolls, and as stated in previous reviews, the plates are color coded so you know how much each roll is going to be. The only downside I can see is it's really tight quarters if you're sitting at the bar thing, and not much personal space, so if you have claustrophobia, this isn't the place for you. Favorite rolls were the winter rolls and the philly - because of the high volume of people, you know it's fresh. They also have chocolate covered strawberries which were wonderful and a nice treat at the end of an amazing meal. I can't wait to go back!
(5)James L.
Great place for a sushi fix! Yes, it's true. Took the parents there and they had a blast. Many asorted pieces and you pick what you want. Pay by the plate and order if you don't see it. Hot sake and good sushi, what else can you ask for... Service was great as well. Will keep coming back.
(4)Roxolana S.
I really like the rotating sushi concept, and they have some pretty unique rolls that I have never seen anywhere else, such as Inferno roll. Always great service, and the lunch specials are phenomenal! If the place was bigger and better decorated I'd definitely rate this place 5 star.
(4)Michael I.
This is the only place that I know of that does the sushi train in IL. The sushi is fresh and made right in front of you. They have a huge selection of sushi if they dont have it I dont think you need it.The service is excellent and friendly. Price seems to be reasonable they charge by color of plate FYI. This is one of my fav. sushi spots. This is a must stop in if your in the area.
(5)Clarissa G.
When I first tried sushi, this was the place to be. Sushi are freshly made. It is very cool how you can see the selections. I missed their cheesecake, though. Come see for yourself and check out this sushi resto.
(4)Ehow C.
Conveyer belts and sushi? Yes please. Arriving at lunchtime on a Saturday was a poor decision, but we did get a table after a decent wait. After 12 plates of sushi (read: $25), I was pretty satisfied. My highlights included fatty salmon nigiri, spicy scallop maki, and caterpillar maki. I was a bit upset at the seared fatty salmon nigiri. The fish became rubbery and chewy, which ruined the whole plate. Stick with the unseared dishes unless you know the chefs can do it correctly.
(4)Lisa N.
Very casual sushi place. Families welcome. I like it here because I don't have to worry about the tab while we eat whatever we want off the belt. It is always super crowded on the weekend evenings, but you are seated fairly quickly. I like unconventional sushi like Philadelphia rolls or Shrimp Harmony there.
(4)Rowena M.
We go here purely for the sake of the kids being entertained by the giant, rotating conveyor belt; they love lifting the mini doors to grab the plate. Prices are ok and quality just mediocre. The best time to go is during the weekend- there seems to be more options. Service is always prompt.
(3)Jason L.
One of my favorite places. Get the Magma roll! I only wish the people answering the phone would understand my order - there is a bit of a language barrier.
(4)Leo J.
I love Sushi station. It's not the highest quality Sushi place that you can go to, but they have a wide variety of stuff on the conveyor belt, and you can also order stuff on the spot. They also allow you to call and order ahead for carryout. This place is nice because you can be an impulse sushi eater, and take a plate that looks good to you. It's nice to be able to have variety like that. I wish that more places would do something like that. Everything I have ever eaten here has been fresh, and tasty. They charge by the color of plate here. Pricing is clearly labeled when you sit down. Almost all the seating is at the "Bar" The saki selection is nice too. This place is busy as hell on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights though at dinner time. Be Prepared to wait like 30-45 mins. The waiting area is cramped too. Go here if you love Sushi. You wont be disappointed
(4)Jillian H.
I really enjoyed Sushi Station. Good Phoenix Roll and Paradise Roll. Actually I liked all the rolls we tried. The Unagi was really good, absolutely my favorite. The only sushi I didn't care for was the Uni and unfortunately that was the last one that I ordered. I like the conveyor belt concept of selecting the sushi you want as it goes by. If you don't see what you want you can order it. The Host at the front door could be friendlier other than that a really good experience. I will return when I'm in the area and craving some sushi. Yummy and affordable sushi.
(4)Caroline D.
best value for price. I love their sushi. Never had a problem ordering on the phone and my favorite is magma roll... the green tea ice-cream is worth trying. love this place.
(5)My T.
Staff was very friendly but I didn't think the sushi rolls, nigiri or anything else for that matter was worth the visit. It's definitely worth checking out if you've never done a conveyor belt sushi event but the food is nothing to write home about.
(3)Minh D.
On a good day you get great sushi joint on a moving belt. The prices are great very affordable here. Although sometimes I find the fish slices are cut thinner, almost sushi buffet thin, most times the fish portion is of the standard thickness or slightly thin. The fish quality is not consistently good. Some days there are fewer choices and the fish do not seem as quality and fresh. The rice of the nigiri is not properly packed... very lose. It's a hit or miss thing. For the price they are charging short comings here and there are acceptable.
(3)Penny L.
Not only are their prices great but they have some of the best spicy tuna around! They offer some different varieties of sushi if you dine in as opposed to take-out and it's all delicious. The staff is super friendly too. My only complaint is that they don't modify anything, like if you want a roll without rice or tobiko, they refuse to do it. I wish they would. I would definitely eat here more often if they did.
(3)Erica J.
I went for the lunch on Sat. Very disappointed! service was awful. Wait over 10 mins till server come to us and ask for a drink. Then they told us that the food on the rail, that it they won't make a new one anymore and said the kitchen gonna close soon so in the way they tell us to hurry up order, eat , pay and get out. Seriously, they keep rushing us the whole time. We got there at 1 pm and I know they close at 2 pm. I thought that would give enough time to eat. They keep asking us. Do you want anything else?? and drop us a bill so we put our card right away and after we sign, she just took our check. OMG!! this is the rudest service EVER!!! I know you wanna get off your shift and counting your TIP soooooo bad... I know I know but you don't have to make it this obvious!!! Overall: -Sushi put so much rice with a very thin fish -Rush bitchy service -NOT worth your money!! It's look cheap but it DOESN'T!!! NOT GOING BACK!!!
(1)Alisa M.
Today was the 2nd time that I've been to this place to eat. I guess the concept of the conveyor belt sushi makes the meal more exciting. You get to look at all the food passing by and pick whatever dish you want. Each dish color signifies a price for the dish. They offer a variety of sushi as well as desserts and some appetizers as well. If there are other things that you want to order that's not on the belt, they give you a menu where you can order off of that too. The price for the sushi is not bad for a sushi place. The fish is pretty decent, comparable to Sushi Para. The service is good also. I went there today and had a decent about of sushi. Between the 3 of us, the total bill came out to $50. This place is nice for people who want to try sushi in smaller amounts. The dishes range from 1.25- 7. Most of the dishes that we got were in the $3.25 range. This included salmon and tuna nigiri, spicy tuna rolls, and shrimp tempura rolls. I would definitely recommend this place because of the atmosphere. Being able to pick and choose the food passing by is always fun and the food just keeps coming. I guess if you have a huge appetite for sushi, going to a buffet would be more bang for you buck. If you'd like to try a lot of different sushi, this would be one place to try.
(4)Angelica S.
The service was wonderful, they are quick to clean up and bring water and such. For newbie sushi people this is a good place to start. You get a large selection of sushi in small portions. So if you don't like it, its okay! Not a big waste. Everything is price by what color your plate is. Which is pretty cool. If there is something not on the menu you can ask the chef to make you something. Definitely a cool way to get food with the conveyor belt style serving. BUT BEWARE! This one is very small compared to the Elgin location. So when it's busy you might have to wait a bit to be seated.
(4)Mark F.
Sushi at your selection and price point all on the convenience of it being delivered on a nonstop conveyor belt, who could ask for anything more? This place was great in terms of concept and atmosphere. As soon as we walked in the workers cheered as if they were happy for more customers. It wasn't only because we were so dashingly good looking, they did it for everyone. Contrary to some other reviews, the restaurant was not jam packed. We were sat right away right on the bar next to some other sushi-loving patrons. Seeing California Rolls and Cream Puffs come strolling by via conveyor was something I thought I'd be against, but it was really cool to choose what I ate by price per plate. Simply open the window as the plate comes by, pull it out, eat it up and stack your plates as you go. When you're finished a nearby server adds up the total and you pay up front. How easy is that? No one bothered us, they were around if we needed anything and we ate a whole lot for a small price tag, as it pertains to sushi. The thing to note is - the sushi isn't the best. It's alright, but you have no idea how long it's been going round and round on the belt. Has it been there 10 minutes or 10 hours? I don't know. People are constantly making new sushi behind the counter. The overall feeling is, you get what you pay for. We wanted a casual, easy-to-eat, enjoyable experience for a good price and that's exactly what we received. Decent sushi in a unique way at a great price. I plan to go back often and bring new people each time I go so they too can enjoy sushi strolling on by on a conveyor belt.
(4)Vivi W.
yummy, cheap, fast sushi (given the wait time doesn't take too too long) It's not the fanny Japanese sushi, but the fish is always fresh
(4)Kevin S.
I have been going to Sushi Station for 5 years now. This is the place that really turned me on to sushi. The prices are very reasonable and the sushi comes to you on a conveyer belt. It can get pretty packed for dinner but the line usually is never more than 20 minutes. Do not come expecting top grade sushi but if you want a decent meal on a budget, this is the place for you.
(4)Heather L.
Is it the best sushi you'll ever have? No. But it's good and it's fun and it's an excellent way to introduce your kids to sushi as they get to see everything on the conveyor belt before they grab it.
(4)Emily H.
Normally I am a complete sushi snob when it comes to sushi made in the Midwest because we are so far from saltwater ports. But this place really recreates the authentic kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) experience, right down to the sweet little old ladies refilling your matcha tea every 5 minutes. The fish is fresh, the cutting/arrangement is professional, and most of the 'artistic' or 'American' rolls are actually delicious. Best of all they don't skimp on the wasabi. I like a little burnination with my sushi. Skip the garbage all-you-can-eat places. At conveyor belt sushi you pay by the plate, but you get fresh, delicious, beautifully-prepared fish, plentiful garnishes and have to eat only as much as you want. Plus the conveyor belt aspect keeps it exciting because you have to keep at eye on what's rolling by to not miss chef specials and dessert runs. Sushi should be savored, not stuffed in as fast as possible to get your money's worth.
(5)Michelle F.
I'm on board ... on board the sushi train! I've been hearing about how awesome Sushi Station is for a while now, and I'm so glad that I finally tried it. I went to the Rolling Meadows location on a Sunday around noon. Even though it just opened for the day, it was pretty crowded. There was a 10 minute wait, and a group of people who came in after us were seated before we were. I guess that's the only reason I'm giving this place four stars instead of five. I know they try to seat groups of four or more at the tables and groups of two (like us) at the bar, but it's still pretty annoying. Anyway, once we were seated, we had a great time. The sushi comes out on this conveyor belt, and you can pick and choose which rolls you want. There's usually four sushi pieces per plate, and each plate is color-coded to indicate price. They also put little placards behind each each roll that describes what's inside, which I thought was very helpful. I think it's a really great way to try rolls that you might not try otherwise. I highly recommend the Philadelphia and Spider rolls. They have other things besides sushi on the conveyer belt too. We had seaweed salad and two different kinds of dumplings that were delicious. You can also order off the menu. We had the tempura with veggies and shrimp. Both were very good. We also had green tea ice cream, which is my favorite. Overall, I thought Sushi Station was very cool. It's a totally unique way to eat sushi and try rolls you might not try at a regular sushi restaurant, and it's very reasonably priced. I will definitely be back!
(4)Michael S.
Conveyor belt sushi... Such a novel concept to bring to the midwest! Came on a Friday night and was told for two it'd be a 15 minute wait. Quite awesome considering the line seemed long. It's a good thing the wait is short as I saw an ex dining here and felt the immediate need to hide! Luckily we were seated on the opposite side with the sushi to block. Sushi itself was good. Tons of different choices. It's nice for the fact you can try lots of different sushi since they come on small plates. Really liked their spicy tuna though I think I'm just a sucker for the spicy mayo. Also good was the paradise roll and their fatty tuna. Ended up paying a little more than $50 for two people which is about the same as going to some other sushi places. It was fun to try and will definitely go again if in the area.
(4)Jenni E.
I love this concept - but I don't love the execution of that concept here. I was really surprised when I pulled up to this out of the way sushi location 10 minutes before it opened to find that there was a line out the door of people waiting to eat here. That's a good sign, right.... I was quickly seated at the bar which takes up the entire restaurant. There are no tables, you are either sitting at the bar or waiting to be seated If you weren't in the line waiting before they opened, then you are waiting. In front of you, there is a clear tube where plates of sushi ride along on a conveyor belt pass by and there is a small door that you can open to take the plates out of the tube. The plates are color coded by price with the least expensive being $1.25 and the most expensive being $6.25. I didn't see any plates that were coded $1.25 and I felt like the majority of things (at least the ones that I would want to eat) were priced around $3.25. There are a few pieces (2-4) on each plate, so it is fairly easy to eat $20 worth of sushi. You can also order any of their items off of the menu and they will bring it to you rather than having to wait for it to come around on the conveyor belt. What I felt could have used the most improvement was the quality and selection of sushi that was offered. I found a lot of the rolls to be very similar to each other and pretty basic. That probably would have been fine with me if they were really great rolls, but they are only okay. I think I probably enjoyed the nigri best, it was pretty fresh and probably the best bang for your buck. I just kept thinking how great this place would be if instead of the okay sushi I was eating, these plates were filled with really good sushi. I'd be a regular for sure - like I said the concept is great...the sushi...eh. The weird thing is that you would think from the crowd that this place draws, the sushi was the best outside of Japan or free....neither was true. About 10 minutes into my lunch, I looked up and realized that there was a mob of people waiting for my seat on either side of the bar - as well as another line outside of the door. You do feel rushed while all of these people are waiting for a seat. I do think that what plays a big part in the wait is the lack of great sushi options. I felt like I waited quite a bit in between plates because I was looking for something great to eat and I would wait and wait until I found something that caught my eye. The bar isn't very small - there are quite a few seats, but I do think that they have probably outgrown this location. If I was in the area, I might try this place again if there wasn't a wait, but I have seen this done better at Sushi Train in Romeoville.
(3)Lalita A.
I love this place. It is so cute ! What I would recommend is to go with 4 or more people. Being someone who likes to try a bit of everything, I wouldn't want a plate of 4 pieces of sushi for myself. Dessert you need to try ! THE DANGO ! :) SO GOOD and SWEET . For two people, I paid $25, that is extremely reasonable for two full stomachsi. Really now, how much does it take you to spend and be satisfied in a sushi restaurant ?
(4)Erin B.
All their fish is fresh but I wish it all didn't have immense globs of sauce on it or wasn't super spicy. I go here when I really want a lot of Sushi for cheap and don't care that much about tasting the individual flavors. I know that goes against the religion of sushi but anyone who gets a bad craving for sushi that just needs to be fulfilled understands. Sushi station is basically my sushi booty call where I can get what my fix in a hurry.
(3)Marianne C.
I always have enjoyed going to Sushi Station - it's a unique and the sushi is always good. Lately it has gone downhill. the cuts are thin, the rice excessive under the sushi - the selection mediocre. My last experience - Jan 4 we waited close to 20 minutes to sit - no biggie - but then after about 15 minutes - the push started - we were asked every 3-5 minutes if we were ready to leave. I was in mid bite and asked if I wanted my check. they had about 4 couples waiting - it's not like we were slackers - the bill was $42 w/o tip and we had 13 plates give or take - but it got so miserable - we quit and left. I tried to complain to the "trainee" who was nice enough - but never did get a manager - the minute I started she scurried away. Get it together Sushi Station - your success can easily disappear pissing off your regulars... go but be prepared
(2)Brett S.
The Sushi tastes good and is well prepared, though the portions are small and really, really expensive. Two Strawberries with a little cup of cream sauce, $2.25. Small sashimi of salmon, $3.25, it goes on and on. I went their with my two sons (10 & 6), granted have a great time with the sushi boats, we spent $61. They needed to eat when they got home as they didn't have nearly enough food for them even after such a ridiculous bill. For those who have been there and wondering, we only had pink ($2.25) and blue (3.25) plates. The portions are so dismal it's a joke. After my last visit tonight, I will not be back. The only reason I will go back there is if my son asks to on his birthday again. Though I don't think I can afford to bring both my boys again. When I mentioned to the cashier that I was displeased with the bill, she laughed at me. Just smirking...
(2)Donna R.
I definitely prefer the Elgin location over this one and only for two reasons.. 1) Elgin is a lot bigger 2) For lunch, the Elk Grove location stops serving food at 2 (This was on a Friday) so the place is completely packed by 2 and they kind of rushed us out of there The food is still amazing though and you can't beat their prices.
(4)Amy L.
Unique conveyor belt within the chicago land area, but sushi was not so good. Decent priced sushi, but I felt the sushi on the belt had gone around quite a while, and there wasn't really a way of telling but some of the sushi was turning brown colored from the eel/ sauce that they were topped with. Ginger was fantastic though. Didn't think anything was exceptionally fresh, felt like I was eating at a buffet with sushi that's be out for a while. It's not bad, but definitely not the fresh that I've had within the area.
(3)PJ J.
So, it is what it is, forget any long winded "bad service" reviews... Come on, if the place is rocking and rolling I'd kick you out too if you just sat there pondering what to get! HELLO! Its in front of you, on a conveyor. Anyhoo...GOOD SERVICE. Some of the Chicago area's BEST ROLLS. SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS. The place IS CHEAP EATS, but you'll rack up the charges if you inhale the entire conveyor though. People who think this is not good should take the time to see that though its kinda factory themed -there is surely good Japanese sushi principals at work here...and yeah -robot made nigiri is supposed to have a more factory, robot made feel to it. Get with it. Sushi Station rocks!!!!!
(4)Katy B.
Yelp is pretty accurate on this one. The conveyor belt and colored plates pricing is a novel and fun idea. It is cool to not have to commit to full rolls but rather be able to choose about three pieces and try as many different roles as are on the conveyor belt. The sushi isn't exceptionally fresh and a lot of this place's appeal comes from the originality of it.
(3)Bob J.
Mediocre at best. The lunch specials are a good deal and you can have a filling sushi meal on the cheap, but the quality is that of pre-made grocery store sushi.
(2)Markus L.
While on Business in Schaumberg, we heard of a little place that had Sushi on a conveyor belt. With three clicks on the Yelp app on my phone, we found Sushi Station. I must say, I love Sushi and have tasted a lot of variations in my day. Although the Sushi at Sushi Station isn't the "Freshest", it's not bad. We went to Sushi station for the experience more than the "freshness" factor. I loved how they priced their plates, ranging from $1.00 to $5.00, although there were not many $1.00 plates that came out. I'd say that Sushi station has more variety than most other Sushi shops. The only draw back with Sushi Station is the size of the establishment, since we had to wait 45 minutes for just the two of us. I would highly suggest against going in as a big group, three at most. Once you get past the waiting, it's as simple as sitting down and taking sushi off a conveyor belt. The staff is very friendly and the owners are as well. The place was busy and a bit loud, so don't expect to have a quiet candle light dinner for two. If the roll was a specialty roll, it would usually have 2 to 4 pieces. If it was a normal roll like a California roll, expect 4-6 pieces. If it's nigiri, just 2 pieces on a plate. As for price, my wife and I left the establishment with a $61 bill + tip. I'm rating this place two $$ since an average person for one could get away with eating just 7 plates and reach $30.... just don't eat too many purple plates. Sushi Station was a great experience and a must see if you're in the area.
(5)Amy X.
I have been to many sushi places around Chicago areas, and I can honestly say Sushi Station is quite consistent with their quality and I will go back if I have the chance. But I do live in the city, therefore, traveling all the way to Algonquin is not too practical. So don't be mistaken, I don't come for the over-clustered rolls of sushi. I like surveying the variety they offer, even the ones on the menu that must be order separately. Among the many dishes, the tuna was the only one I didn't like, it was quite stale.
(4)Aly L.
Great value for the price! Always fresh, the variety is standard with a few custom rolls. My favorites are the Godzilla and the Rainbow rolls. The staff at there is very efficient and friendly. Try to get there early on the weekends as it gets packed early during the dinner time.
(5)Brian A.
awesome food, try the honey salmon coated in panko crumbs and topped with mayo so delish. Also other dishes were on point and the only reason this place did not get five stars is because of the price, a little steep for the amount of food you get
(4)Kei A.
Sushi is high quality and is all very tasty. Fish is fresh, therefore the roll's presentation comes out well. The staff is always heavily pressured, but they always pull off a smile and come off as 'nice', so that's a plus. The crowd gathers very quickly during lunchtime, so I suggest showing up a bit earlier than lunch or after 2pm for less of a crowd. Otherwise, the sushi is all very well prepared. Very good overall.
(3)Catie V.
"Holy conveyor belt Batman!" Sushi station is a super swanky lil' restaurant that offers inventive approaches in terms of their menu and dining style. I was pretty amused when i walked in and saw a lovely conveyor belt transport small sushi plates to eager customers in the dining area. This is a common restaurant practice is some asian countries, and it just makes me think of how much cooler they are for creating and implementing such a system. (Come on murrica! hop on the wagon towards restaurant modernization! Getting food delivered to your table by a server is archaic as all hell, and until matter replication becomes a thing, i want a cute lil' choo choo train contraption dealy doo to deliver me the goods!) The one thing i'm not too crazy about is the seating arrangement. The seats are arranged in a horse-shoe pattern around the belt and it's a pretty tight squeeze. It makes me think that the customers and i are a bunch of herd animals feeding from a trough, and this 'murrican' needs some personal space, ya dig? The plates come in different colors which correspond to various prices. Overall, it's pretty easy to eat on the cheaps here because there are usually lunch specials and the prices aren't too expensive. Also, if you don't see what you like on the belt you can ask a server and they will surely bring you whatever it is you desire. The sushi here is a mixture of traditional and experimental, and i always eye the crazy jelly fish dish that glares right at me each time it strolls on by. If i wasn't so averse to sliminess or tentacle-esque things, i'd totally try it, but for now it's war! This place gets packed really quick and i wouldn't even bother coming in here with a large group. 2-4 people max, or prepare to wait for eons. Overall, this place is awesome and i lurve itttt.
(4)Elizabeth T.
Been here several times to give the restaurant several tries before passing judgement. Sorry, Sushi Station but me no love you long time. + Friendly service + Cheap plates (however, you do get what you pay for) - Poor quality sushi. Rolls are super big but poor quality: mostly chockfull of cucumber. - The shrimp tempura roll pissed me off. The end part only had the tail of the shrimp without the shrimp meat. For realz? If you want quick sushi in a restaurant that values quick turn-over over sushi quality, this may be the place for you. I prefer restaurants with higher quality sushi. You do get what you pay for in this case.
(2)Adam H.
After watching 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi', its hard to not crave raw fish, and although I can't fly to Tokyo to eat at Jira's restaurant, I can mosey over to my local Sushi Station to get my fix. We typically get seated at the counter, however during the most recent visit we scored a table and thoroughly enjoyed our elbow room. Although we've been here many times, I don't think I've ever eaten the same meal twice, but I do always get their Phoenix Roll to kick off the experience and always will until they don't offer it anymore. I can't exactly rattle off my favorite dishes for the Yelp community, because I simply go in hungry and wait until I find something that strikes my fancy then snatch it before anyone else can; that's the beauty of the conveyor belt system. You really do eat with your eyes here, then your chopsticks (if you can manage). Their service is usually really good, they're attentive and polite and really hustle. I can safely say I've never been disappointed by a staff member. The wait can be long depending upon your arrival time but the host(s) are very conscientious of the patrons. They are sure to keep you informed about your spot in line, and seat you promptly when spots open up. I'm not brave enough to try the Jellyfish Salad, but I'll be back for just about any of their rolls and their Green Tea Ice Cream. The night is not complete without that good stuff. Kanpai
(4)Debbie L.
This is a rotating sushi bar, where dishes are color coded on a conveyor belt. The sushi is not the most fresh but it's always a fun night when I visit. Definitely one of a kind and is great to bring kids to!
(4)Nancy H.
The best way to try a little bit of everything if you're into variety or just not sure of what type of sushi you like. Most plates only come with 2-4 pieces so that you're not forced to finish an entire roll you don't like (usually 6-8 pieces) if you were at a regular restaurant. You are seated around this conveyor belt that rotates around the restaurant and kitchen. On the conveyor belt sit color-coded plates of rolls, appetizers (edamame, seaweed salad, cold jellyfish, calamari), and desserts (cream puffs, chocolate cake, fruits). A price is designated to each colored plate. They constantly replenish empty spots with the same item or new items. The trick is to grab whatever you are certain you want and be patient for what's still yet to come out. There is also a menu from which you can order specialty rolls and cooked food straight from the kitchen. Our party of 3 paid nearly $20/pp and were completely stuffed. The fish isn't the absolute freshest, and the cases aren't refrigerated, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I'm a sucker for differentiation.
(4)Vince L.
This is what I would call beginner sushi, if you have never tried sushi or are not sure you will like it go to sushi station. Once you have been around the block a few times and you know you stuff this place will not stack up to a good sushi place, but that being said it is much cheaper here.
(3)Katie V.
*Finally* found conveyor belt sushi in Illinois. As expected, it was pretty basic. The miso soup was excellent and the rolls I tried (sorry, can't remember which ones they were) were tasty. I do wish they had more of a variety, though. They have lots of different spicy rolls or rolls with spicy things in them--certainly the ratio was 3:2 spicy to non-spicy. The fountain drinks were sub-par, with lots of ice and not a lot of syrup. We might try it again, but so far I haven't been satisfied with any sushi joints in Illinois.
(3)J.J M.
ok not only was this place fun because you get to pick out sushi on the conveyer belt but it was also yummy and affordable. The waitress was also really nice and explained how the color of the plates indicates the price and also the menu we can order from. I know its not a very authentic sushi place but we tend to eat the makis anyways and not brave enough to try the real deal raw stuff.... YET :)
(5)Hen H.
By far the most underrated place to get sushi. Not only is it a unique experience, but the sushi is so great for the price. If you have no experienced it you absolutely must.
(4)Pete B.
conveyor belt sushi in Chicagoland? First one I've been to. I personally didn't try the sushi because everything looked like supermarket sushi. The quality wasn't the greatest and the freshness seemed almost nonexistent. I know I can't expect anything to be on par with conveyor belt sushi in Japan, but this was just plain disappointing. It's not really that cheap too if you want a filling meal. So I got the tempura set instead ($7 for 2 prawns, carrots, and some fried vegetables), and it was SURPRISINGLY decent yet a little expensive for a place with pretty much no decor. It was quite a big surprise, but still, for the people who would go there for sushi, I wouldn't really recommend it. If you're a first time sushi-trying, maybe you could go there to sample a few rolls, but don't go there with high expectations though.
(2)Yu H.
This place is deceptively expensive. Every time I go I figure I'd eat 3 or 4 plates of food which sounds like a lot but when its only 2 rolls or 3 bites per plate it will add up. I usually end up with about 8-9 plates and what could have been a reasonably priced meal turns into a $30 dollar tab. Then again, what I'm paying for is variety and there is no other place where I can dine on 8-9 different things for dinner in one sitting. The food itself is decent quality, the volume of business there ensures a certain freshness. I never grab stuff off the belt because god knows how long its been there. The best thing to do is just order it off menu which they are glad to take. They don't even try to hide the mostly Hispanic staff cooking and making the sushi which I really have no problem with. Just be careful when you go because those 2 bites for 2-3 dollars really add up.
(3)Anna B.
Yesterday was my first time here. Want to have a sushi buffet experience on a budget? Try Sushi Station. But don't get it twisted, budget does not equal cheap quality. Budget means it won't break your wallet, while filling your mouth and belly with varied and delicious sushi pieces. Conveyor belt - awesome. Sushi goes past you, you grab what you want. Sushi is in colored plates which coincide with certain price ranges, anywhere from .50 a plate to $5.25. 2-4 pieces on each plate. Label with prices is right in front of your as you dine. You can also order from a menu, but in time almost everything they offer will probably travel past your hungry eyes. At least it did when we were there. Sushi is great quality, very tasty, and good sized portions. We will be back.
(4)Kristo E.
Second best sushi place in the Chicago area. The first being Kimberli on lawrence.
(5)Phill C.
One of my favorite places to get sushi. Another place I've tried based on my Japanese co-workers recommendations. The rotating conveyor belt of food isn't just some gimmick, the sushi is actually very fresh and reasonably priced. The food selection on the conveyor belt comprise mostly of nigri and rolls, with some appetizer and desert offerings. Their menu also features a hot food options as well as featuring their entire selection of rolls/nigri. The price of each plate of food is based on the color of the plate. Very fun and delicious way to enjoy great sushi.
(4)Jasmin V.
Very awesome concept. Not awesome sushi. But what can you expect from sushi sitting out made my Mexicans? If you want quality sushi go elsewhere, if you want a cool concept and overpriced sushi that isn't amazing then you've found your place.
(2)Amanda B.
I wish I could eat here every day. Everything is delicious. There are new rolls to try every time I'm there. And I can leave feeling way too full and not even spend $10! The taste, to me, is the same quality as some higher end, fancier sushi retaurants I've been to, and you can't beat these prices. This is a hoppin spot, if you come during dinner time, expect to wait for at least ten minutes and expect to feel a little bit rushed as you eat, as it is a somewhat small restaurant and you can feel the servers lingering near you, waiting to see when you'll finish. Because of this, I wouldn't think it the best date spot. But if your craving good sushi, you'll be in and out of this place in a jiff, and most definitely satisfied!
(4)Jake H.
My sister says Sushi Station is expensive, and it can be, but it's really as expensive as you want it (or can't help but allow it) to be. Especially if you go for Lunch. Lots of $1.25 plates with 2-3 pieces of sushi on them. Filling up on sushi for $7 isn't common. Buuuut, you can splurge and get fancier things, which will diversify your experience and increase the cost of your bill. Your choice. As for the food: it's the most experimental sushi I've ever had. Lots of different things to try, most of them good. My advice is to get whatever sounds pleasing to your pallet. Read the signs, decide which ingredients sound like they'd mesh well. (I, for instance, do not like cream cheese on my sushi.) But it's also an opportunity to try new things, so don't be afraid to grab a plate or two that sounds mysterious or weird. It'll probably be worth it.
(4)Andrew J.
Once upon a time I did not care how much money I spent on things. Mostly, this is because I was foolish with my money, and did not think that there would ever come a time where I had to grow up and live like a man. There are problems making this transition, however. Sushi is one of my favorite foods ever, and it's flippin expensive man. I want to eat it all the time and that's just not possible anymore. Enter Sushi Station. In a nutshell, Sushi station allows me to eat the food that I love the most (sushi) for a much more reasonable price than most other places. No, I still can't eat it every day, but if that's a sacrifice I have to make so that I can afford to live, then so be it. At least I don't have to eat the stuff they sell at the grocery store which is crusty enough that it should probably be sold in the aisle with toxic chemical cleaners because it will induce vomiting. Is this the best sushi I have ever had? No. Is this place way too small for the amount of business they have? Yes. Does it deserve 3.5 stars/5 instead of four? Yes. But Yelp does not do the half star dealie. So why go there if money is not an option? That's a good question, but I've thought about it. See, the sushi comes around the restaurant in this refrigerated tube, and what I like to do is take out the sushis that I think other people down the line will want the most. Then I will eat the sushi, depriving and potentially irritating someone else who really was looking forward to eating a dragon roll. Suckers. They've just been had by my judicious tastes. It's a little game I like to play. You should try it. It's mildly sadistic and kind of fun. I'm bitter about not having money any more. Anyway, give it a try. At best, you've had some pretty decent sushi and spent less than ususal. At worst, you know I suck as a reviewer and you can just go back to your usual spot. Think about it.
(4)Steven L.
Worst place EVER to have sushi!! WORST SERVICE EVER! My friends and I went there and they make us wait despite there are empty table. We were party of 5 and 3 of us arrived. There was 2 large empty tables and they insist don't seat us. OK, fine, I wait a little bit.. Meanwhile they gave one of the empty table to another couple who just walk in.. Then, we sat down (finally!!).. My another friend came by to join us. So now we have a party of 6. My friend just wanna stop by and chat. However, the manager told us that he can't sit here. "If he's not eating, he has to sit outside on the waiting bench by himself!". That's just rule. Never in my lifetime a restaurant said that to a customer. NEVER go there again!! Their sushi is not fresh at alll NOT.. They just make roll to feed those people who don't know what is real sushi.
(1)Amanda G.
Conveyer belt sushi... Need I say more? The whole appeal to this place is definitely that the sushi moves around on a conveyer belt allowing what you to choose what you want. Of course you can also order off the menu but where's the fun in that? They have a great variety of sushi rolls and sashimi going around as well as some dessert options too. You also might have a few laughs from some of the description cards. This is a great sushi place in the burbs. I've been here a couple times now and it's always a solid sushi place. The plates that go around in the conveyer belt are priced by color so it's easy to tell how much the items cost. It's a fun place to go for lunch or dinner.
(3)Andrea H.
Always a great experience with great food! Love their traditional and special rolls. Very reasonable prices for good quality sushi.
(5)Kayu T.
PROS: There's only 3 reasons that people should come here for: - If you were about to die of hunger and any junk would safe your life. - If you really really really want to be cool & hip and experience the "As seen in Movies" Japanese conveyor belt sushi. (everyone should try it once in a life time i must say..) - They had a cute bottled drink that I just had to try cause it involved shaking it 10 times to "activate jelly" inside. Yes, that was fun and good. CONS: These are only the cons I noticed during our 25 min stay - There were no lines, but when we walked in, no one greeted us to see if we needed a seat. We actually had to go up to the paying register to get someone to help us. - The rice's flavor was off, which then affected the texture of the rice.. it was hard to even pick up a piece of maki without having parts of it stuck to another piece. - The selection of sushi is beyond miniature. Rolling imitation crab salad with different fillers like cream cheese, mayo spicy sauce, or greasy tempura poo crumbs does not = selection. - So after waiting for the belt to go around 5 times to see if there's other fresh fish selection besides mayo plastered tuna or crab salad.. we gave up and gave their menu a try instead. We got the Japanese Cold Tofu with ginger & onion. Mine you, not ALL tofu are made the same.. and for this particular traditional and very comment Japanese dish, everyone knows its supposed to be SILKY SMOOTH SOFT tofu that should just glide down your throat. These people gave me a firm block of CHUNKY tofu that was RUBBERY and nearly frozen in the center. It was soooooooo gross that I had to say something about it to the waitress. Her response was an abrupt "This is our version" and then she ran away. She did not even ask if she should take it away or cancel it. The plate was untouched!!!! We literally threw up the one bite we took. - 4 pieces of strawberries, each split into halves accommodated with a a spoonful of canned condensed milk should not be on the conveyor belt for over 2 dollars. - Besides the person collecting your dollars at the end of your wonderful experience, everyone making your sushi was not Japanese. Not to say anyone else can't make good sushi, but seriously, no one was a "chef" at this place. SUMMARY: I Will NOT RETURN and Strongly recommend people to stay away!!!!
(1)Jeanne L.
Cheap sushi and fun concept. Quality is good but not great. This is NOT a high quality sushi restaurant; rather it's a cheaper and "fun" sushi place. Don't come here expecting great sashimi or anything. Wait was about 10 minutes on a Tuesday night at 6pm. Spider roll: overrated. Not that good here. Don't get it, about $6. Volcano Roll: simple but very good, will get again Inferno Roll: also good, but the fish could have been a little colder Philly Roll: bf said this was one of the best he's had Shrimp Harmony: this is such a ghetto roll, but I like it alot. Shrimp, corn, mayo. :p Scallop nigiri: raw scallops, pretty good, nice and sweet Miso soup: not bad, hard to mess up Chocolate strawberries dessert: not bad, but again, hard to mess up Overall service was great; it's a small restaurant and it's pretty much bar style since everyone sits around the sushi "train", so they're constantly refilling your drink and it only takes a glance their way to let them know you'd like something. 2 people for about $30, and very full. Good deal!
(4)Vick C.
Ok Sushi station used to be one of the sushi place I go so often, but from now on, NO MORE!! Their sushi now...just yuck! Once i got into the restaurant I feel the place was extremely hot, not sure if they turned on their air conditioning or any reason they want to save some energy during the hot summer day, it was hot inside, terrible! I ordered around 8-10 plates of sushi but unfortunately the rice is so loosen and it's WARM! Yes no kidding it was WARM, all of them! How can you eat warm sushi with the raw fish? I doubt their fridge is cool enough to stock their sushi..it's really warm and taste so yucky! Terrible quality! so disappointed! One thing I HATE so bad is every time they just rush you to pay the bill once they realized that you were about to finish your meal! Hello? GIVE ME A BREAK I'M STILL EATING!!! F-A-I-L! Lot of my friends keep saying they are not going back to sushi station, I didn't know why but now I experienced myself, I wouldn't risk my stomach to taste their worst sushi again!
(1)Tasty X.
Very fun place to eat. The conveyer belt is loaded with something for everyone. My wife, who was scared to try sushi, left here declaring this her favorite restaurant. The only problem is the price can go a little high if you are a big eater like me. Those plates can add up fast. The best sushi? No. But there are a lot of good choices on here to pick from.
(4)Rosanna L.
After trying this place and a previous conveyor belt sushi place I realize I will never be satisfied with sushi provided on a conveyor belt. Their rolls are huge, which makes it difficult to eat and it seemed that majority of their rolls they filled it with nothing, but tempura crunch which gave you an oily tasting in your mouth. The choices are limited and a lot of it has mayo or a big slob of cream cheese, which I'm not a fan of. Some of the rolls or appetizers on the belt definitely did not look fresh as it seems like it continues to stay on the belt with no one wanting to eat it. I tried their sliced salmon, which was fresh, but as soon as I bit into their smoke salmon I was done eating. It was extremely fishy and definitely not fresh. The service was okay. My hot tea and the boyfriend's soda was refilled often. I still dislike having to pay a $1 for hot tea. Also they hoover over you and listen into your conversation, which is very annoying. I saw a sign for 'golden shrimp' and I pointed at it to show my boyfriend and right away a server runs up and was like oh would you like to order the golden shrimp? - It bugged me because it was meant for my boyfriend to hear/see. Something called personal space. I left unsatisfied.
(2)Sherwin C.
Interesting sushi restaurant. It's a little bit pricier than some other restaurants that you can go to, pretty small, and noisy. However, 2 things make it stand out. The sushi conveyer belt allows for a unique dining experience plus you can pretty much watch the chefs as they prepare the food. Sushi station also carries nicer grades of fish than most sushi restaurants nearby. This compliment only applies if the price of uni, chutoro, or otoro really doesn't matter that much to you. Wild Fish in Arlington Heights and Sushi Ai in Palatine do carry the nicer fish as well if you don't trust 3-5 dollars a bite to this style of dining.
(4)Marco C.
I have been a regular customer for a while and my most recent visit will be my last. First, the sushi/rolls literally taste like they pulled it out of those plastic containers you would find at your local grocery store and serve them to you. Actually, in a couple of those grocery stores, I found the sushi to be better than at this place. However, I thought the sushi was tolerable and it is a place to go for a quick lunch. Which are the only two reasons this place is even worth considering. I do agree with one of the "Yelpers" who "Yelped" about how the staff is hovering around you and hounding you to be done. The non-English speaking part is truly a problem in this country to begin with, but I'm not here to talk about that. Here's the problem. As a regular, I usually eat the same thing and I do mix it up every so often. This time I decided to try their $1.25 lunch special sushi roll called "Tiger Stripes" or something like that. It's a role with imitation crab topped with inflamed mayo and teriyaki. For a long time, I passed on it because of all the mayo, but I figured it's only $1.25 and I like to try new things. To my assumption that proved me correct, it tasted horrible.... way too much mayo. I even tried to remove most of it! I informed the server that it was not to my liking and I was wondering if they would charge me. Well, they did. I could care less about the $1.25 and money is not an issue, but it's the principle of the matter. When a customer is not satisfied of a dish, there is no argument from the restaurant to remove the charge. When I went to the cashier to pay, I certainly said something to them and asked why they charged me... They said that if the food was bad or spoiled, then they remove the charge... BAD OR SPOILED??!?! AT A SUSHI PLACE THAT SERVES FISH?!?!? I did one of those, "ARE YOU F****G KIDDING ME?!?!?" looks.... of course it was bad!!! They still charged me with out a real reason and not even an apology. They lost a customer over $1.25 !! Way to go, Sushi Station, you really know the meaning of hospitality and the customer is always right. This is the most idiotic place with horrible food. I am sick to my stomach now for eating your crap. I award you "ZERO STARS" and my God have mercy on your soul(s)!!!!
(1)トモ T.
A floating boat (kaiten) sushi restaurant in the suburb of Chicago where you could get decent sushi for a good value. The owner is Japanese with a long restaurant experience. During winter season, they serve pork miso soup (ton-jiru) which is the best thing on their menu. They also have Kirin in draft, which is a plus. This is not a place you would drive across the town to, but if you happened to be in the area and did not have much time for a meat, go here. You can sit, eat, and get out in 15 minutes if you choose (oh, don't forget to pay). What ever you do, don't come here for high quality sushi. Their sushi is 'sabi-nuki' (no wasabi), which is a big no-no.
(3)Terese C.
Love the sushi on the refrigerated conveyor belt! The food we took off the belt was all good and fresh. There are 3-4 pieces per dish which makes it easy to share at your table. They also have a menu if you don't want to eat from the belt!
(4)Anya C.
After a very rough day, my best friend surprised me and treasted me to this gem of a restaurant. I have always wanted to try a place like this and last night my wish came true. At first we had to assess our situation, esp price wise as we weren't looking to spend a boatload of money. The plates that ride around on the conveyor belt are color coded to match the price with white being the cheapest and purple being one of the most expensive. We stuck to the white, pink, and blue plates which were $1.25, $2.25 and $3.25 respectively. With our sushi we also had seaweed salad and potstickers. First we ordered our main course rolls off the menu. You get a bigger portion if you order that way and it's only $1.00 more. So if you grab a plate with 4 Philly rolls of the belt it's 2.25, off the menu 6 pieces are $3.25 so that's a no brainer. When we filled up on our salad and potstickers, salamon, tuna and philly rolls, we decided it was time to add to our sushi experience. Like I said, we stuck with the white, pink, and blue plates. The food was excellent. I can't complain at all. The service was really good too. Unlike some of the other reviewers we were never hurried, nor did we get kicked out and our wait time was less than a second to get a table. The price was great too. $33 for two people and that's with a stein of beer. As long as you're mindful of the plates and prices and know your budget and limit, Sushi Station is a fun, delicious, enjoyable dining experience! P. S. I highly recommend getting the chocolate cake for dessert. It's heavenly!
(5)Dan H.
OK, confession I've been craving going to a conveyor belt sushi for months, maybe even years. I finally got the chance to check out sushi station this past weekend and I must say it was awesome. I was afraid of it being a novelty and that would mask mediocre sushi. The flavors and freshness were tremendous and I can't wait to go back. I'm a big guy and i stacked my plates up pretty quickly. The prices seemed fair however. Compared to other suburban sushi restaurants, I felt as though I got 2-3x the amount of food for the same price. The service was also spectacular. Refills were quick and frequent, the server also made sure we were at home and comfortable with the experience. I can't wait to go back and get some more great sushi. p.s. If you don't see it on the conveyor belt, make sure you order the negitoro gunkan
(4)Garrett A.
I've been coming to this place a lot (in fact, it was the one that introduced me to sushi) but it feels like every time I come here, my enthusiasm wanes a little bit. One of the things I feel like they're missing are just the basic tuna- and salmon-with-avocado rolls; furthermore, it feels like they have too many spicy rolls. HUGE TIP: Do not come here an hour and 15 minutes before closing. Apparently the rule is that they stop loading the conveyor belt around 45 minutes before closing and 30 minutes before, they will not take orders for any rolls that are of the smaller size (they will still serve nigiri, though).
(3)B R Hungry X.
Sushi is good, quick service, not for big groups of people, the way the restaurant is set up is not for conversation. Overall its a great place because of its variety and you can choose to sample different rolls and sashimi without having to order whole roll orders. Its easy to get carried away here, the plates are priced from $2-$5, but it can add up fast! Overall, its fun, fast, and clean.
(4)Laila C.
I like sushi station cuz I think it's super fun. I love the idea of getting more variety in my food, not being stuck ordering a whole roll and basically only getting to try 4 or 5 things. At sushi station, just take WHATEVER you think looks appetizing! although that might in a tab larger than you expected! Their baby octopus salad is good, I love baby octo wherever I go! I always get a serving of Ikura and it's delicious and comes out very fast. The udon is good. However, I'd recommend staying away from the tongue. It was too dry and hard to chew through when I got it. Most of the rolls are good, except I'm not sure I like how much mayo they mix into everything. But I am a big fan of using siracha in my sushi!
(4)William B.
Crazy busy at lunch, but has very quick turnover, I got a single seat in about 10 mins. Very consistent sushi. Has the safe, standard rolls that most people like, as well as some pretty exotic fare, that I like to try, because hey, they wouldn't serve it if it wasn't edible and good, and where else would i get a chance to try some pretty weird sushi.
(4)Jonathan C.
It went down hill like none other. The winter stew is still really really good. Not sure whats in it, but I like it. The fish went up in prace the last time I was there. Plus they got a little skimpier with thin slices. Not a cool combination.
(2)Alpha P.
When I lived in Suburbs it was one of the best inexpensive sushi places. But I moved to the city and now I know that the sushi is just OK. Nothing more. When you count 8 pieces (two plates) the place doesn't seem to be cheap / inexpensive -$6 -$7 philly, spicy tuna roll. in the city I can get way better rolls for the same money. Interior design is closet to Mc Donalds than sushi place. Just OK.
(3)Amanda B.
The best sushi EVER. I compare all other sushi to Sushi Station's sushi. Nothing beats it! Cute conveyor belt, delicious sushi, right prices and portions. The sushi is prepared and placed on a conveyor belt and rides around in front of you and around the kitchen. You pick what you want. I like being able to see my food before I order and eat it. Your plate is color-coded and the color reflects a price. You pile your plates up and calculate how much your bill is that way. If you don't like what you see, you can order from the menu and get something else, like chicken teriyaki or soup. A friend and I once sat there and kept eating and piling up our plates. We must have had about 25 plates piled up. There was a Polish couple next to us, and my friend is Polish and apparently the couple were saying bad things about how much we were eating hahaha. Awesome place!
(5)Mark B.
I have had the opportunity to sample sushi around the U.S. and around the world, including Japan. With that in mind, I like a traditional sushi experience. It's not about the atmosphere for me, it's about the fish. On that front, Sushi Station (specifically the Rolling Meadows location) delivers in full. They offer the freshest and most varied fish selection I've found in Chicagoland, along with some truly tasty and unique rolls. Sushi Station isn't for the faint of heart. There are few choices on the menu for those who are not going to partake in the sushi. There is some tempura, and there are some rolls made primarily from veggies. But make no mistake, this place focuses on fish. Spicy means spicy, but not tear your head off, 5-alarm spicy. Which is great since you can still taste the delicate flavor of the fish through the spice. They offer a variety of tuna and salmon, standard bbq eel (unagi) along with conger eel, as well as some of the less popular but equally as interesting offerings like mackeral (my personal favorite), bonita, scallops, sea clam, and on occasion sea urchin. The miso soup, seawead salad and squid salad are good starters. Items are priced based on the type of plate the arrive on. Different colors and designs have different values. For the money, you can't go wrong for high quality sushi. We recently had 6 people for lunch and the bill was $120. Watch the hours, they close between 2pm and 5pm. If you want excellent sushi in a tradition Japanese "cafeteria" style setting that won't break the bank, Sushi Station is the place to go.
(5)Jeanette R.
I really like the food here. The prices are really good and the food is fresh and tasty. It's worth the drive from the city for sure. However, I almost didn't ever, ever want to go back after my first experience here. They had some weird guy as a host that made a huge ordeal about my dreadlocks- including hovering over me, in my personal bubble, to ask me if they were real or not. Then he informed me that they would be better if they were real, as if it were any of his damn business what I do with my hair. THEN he later touched my arm to ask me how much a tattoo of mine cost me. FYI to the owners- mocking my hair and being touched by the staff are NOT okay. My boyfriend also didn't appreciate my being touched in front of him by that impolite stranger of a host. If my boyfriend wouldn't have insisted on another chance I never would have been back. Luckily the second time creeper mcgee was very thankfully absent. I love your food, I love the rest of your staff, but if that guy is working next time we come we will walk out and go elsewhere.
(3)Katherine T.
Sushi station is ok, you get what you pay for. They are cheap but the sushi isnt good quality.
(3)April P.
Going in for a quick dinner solo as this place is affordable and tre chic to dine alone. Affordable food, and a nice selection of fresh sushi, rolls, appetizers and desserts both on their conveyer belt and to order a la carte. I do have a complaint that the staff will ask you over and over again if you want to order additional food, as it is near the kitchen closing time. I'm talking 4-5 times. Annoying...I get it already. Looking forward to checking out their Elgin location. That's the mega sushi conveyer belt meca.
(4)D. F.
i love this place! the sushi is good and the price is very good. but the concept here is what makes this a fun experience. here, the entire restaurant seating is built around an enclosed conveyor belt. On the conveyor belt are small plates (about the size of a tea cup saucer) of sushi and various appetizers or desserts. All the restaurant patrons are basically within arms reach of the conveyor belt. When you see a plate or dish come your way, you open the door that you're seated next to or in front of and pull that plate out. each plate is colour coded with each colour corresponding to a different price. each plate is as little as $1.25 and some can go as high as $5. it's easy to get carried away here, as the plates parade by you. one one visit, i ate $40 worth of sushi and dessert! for those who are not into sushi, they have a full menu of hot dishes that you can special order and the turn-around time is very quick (especially at the dinner hour). the place itself is not much to look at: it's in a strip mall next to an at&t cell phone store. but the service is good, the food is good, and the price is right... in fact, just typing about it now is making me hungry... and... it's almost time for lunch......................................
(4)Amy L.
First time I went to this place was quite a few years ago with a friend and her family. It tastes the same now as it did before, still good. I feel like you wouldn't usually get good sushi from a place like that. It is a sushi boat place so the sushi goes round and round but they try to keep the conveyor full. There are sushi chefs constantly making sushi. They have the typical sushi and you can special order. It can get quite expensive. My friend and I always pay quite a bit since we both love sushi and eat a lot of it. I don't think I would go there that often just because it can get pricy but sushi is always pricy I suppose.
(3)Sofia M.
Delicious, fresh, and plenty of choices, what more does a sushi fan wants? I like the seasonal sushi they create every month. And the fresh fruit plates are always great as a dessert.
(4)Leang E.
After all the talk from my coworkers I was finally able to go and try this place out. This spot has the sushi on a covered conveyor belt where you can lift the lid and pick and choose what you want. The dishes range from $1-$6 depending on the color of the plate. If you don't see anything on the belt that you like, you can always order off the menu. Even when you order it off the menu, the sushi still comes out pretty quickly. I think I ate 12 pieces of sushi in like 5 minutes. Talk about a fast lunch. I like how it's not like sushi buffet, but you are definitely paying for what you can eat, you have lots of options still, and it's pretty cheap. Plus, it's quick and decent sushi. I'm sure I'll be back again.
(4)Saki Z.
I've been to Sushi Station numerous times and it's been a good experience every time. My favorite roll here is the Bostation roll.
(4)Sally W.
It's like you're looking at the merry-go-around of Sushi. Decent sushi, great if you ask them to make fresh, but it depends on who makes it. The price is decent, since you get what you pay for by the color of the dish. BUT don't go if you have large party, you can't fit yourself there. It's literally Japanese style as far as space goes. Especially Friday nights, it's very crowed and with that many people, especially in the winter, you get to know your 'neighbors' pretty well. As a side notes, be very clear on your to-go large orders and don't order miso soup for large to go order. We've order like 5 times take out and they forgot our soup like 3 times. Make sure you send in the order form if you're ordering pickup.
(3)Sarah-jayne M.
If you've read my reviews ( and WHO hasn't?? LOL) you know I love sushi. I can be a little bit of a sushi snob. This place is very good for beginners. The sushi goes around the resturant on a conveyer belt and the plates are color coded to determine price. I like the maki especially. Good variety of rolls, the breeze and the phoenix were both really good. There's nothing out of the ordinary and the actual sushi might not be that high quality but the overall experience is good and the prices are reasonable. The only down side is this place gets busy so you often have to wait to be seated and then once you are done eating they are ready to whisk you out of there. So, long conversations need to be taken else where.
(3)Justin W.
I love this place, aside from one service-based gripe (which I will address at the end). You don't have to wait for someone to make your sushi, they have reasonable prices, and if you want something fresh from the chef, they'll hook you up. Great place for lunch, but you have to watch the plates you pull. You can easily have a personal bill ranging from under $10 to $20+. Fresh and tasty for a midwest sushi bar. One time I botched pulling a piece of flan out of the production line and it fell on me and the floor. The staff saw it, but nobody offered to give me anything to help clean it up...And they charged me for it. I didn't bitch, as I firmly believe in "You break it, you buy it," but for something that's a buck or two, I would have written it off for my customer. Having them return means more than a few extra bucks. Return on Investment, baby.
(4)Jyo H.
Interesting for the first few times. But their variety gets boring really fast. At first glance, the prices may seems reasonable but the cuts are thin and portions are small compared to other japanese restaurants in the area. Service is generally good and staff are polite. This is sort of 'fast food' quality sushi but too bad the prices don't reflect this.
(3)Covert W.
Honestly you come here for the novelty of the conveyor belt, not for the quality of the sushi. The rolls tend to be on the small side, and the quality of the fish isn't the best.
(3)Renee I.
I have to admit I was intimidated by all the negative reviews -- horrible service, wait staff yelling at customers -- but I wanted to go anyway for the novelty of the conveyor belt and was very pleased with the food and service. Two of us went on a Thursday evening around 6:30 and the place was packed but we got a seat right away. It got even busier while we were there so I understand the urgency the staff has to get you in and out. This is not a place to linger over your food and catch up with old friends. While we were there the people on both sides of us came and went but we never felt pressured to hurry up or leave. The sushi was very good and they even have sweet desserts (choc covered strawberries, choc cake) for people who don't think a meal is complete without having something sweet for dessert. (Me!) We will definitely go again.
(4)Jon J.
A conveyor belt sushi restaurant that is solid on most items. They also get bonus points for having tojiru in the winter, which is a hearty miso-style soup that has pork and vegetables in it. It can get a little crowded at lunch time, but the reasonable prices and good quality make up for it!
(4)D M.
really good! I love their tempura sushi and the dumplings
(5)Greg M.
Wow, I can't believe I have not written a review for this place yet. This is my favorite place in the Chicagoland area to buy sushi. In my opinion, everything about this place is desirable: price, ambiance, and the beer. For a sushi restaurant I manage to rack up a bill anywhere between 20 - 30 bucks, which isn't bad. Considering many other restaurants within Chicago that serve sushi can easily be more expensive for an amount comparable to what I consume here. To anyone willing to make the trek out to this place, I definitely deem it worthwhile.
(5)Tony C.
you know what... so the fish isn't the best. so it's a fast food joint. In the spirit of Bourdain, this is a GREAT fast food joint. Every restaurant in America should strive to serve something that's actually from a kitchen/cook, and not from a frozen vac sealed bag. This place, much like the banh mi carts in Saigon, demonstrates food fast can be good for you and can be tasty. plus, chics DIG the conveyor belt. i don't know what it is...
(4)Nikki G.
food was ok..nothing much to say about. Agreed with cindy that rolls suck but nigiri is pretty good. Service is just ok...at least they didn't try to rush me out during busy hours.
(3)Chad D.
A great, inexpensive sushi bar. If you're looking for a quick way to satisfy a craving without breaking the bank, this is the place to do it. There's a wide variety of choices, and you can spend exactly how much you want to spend. Highly recommended!
(5)Michelle B.
The sushi is fresh and you have a great assortment to choose from. It has a different atmosphere from other sushi restaurants as you are sitting at a long sushi bar with a moving conveyor belt. If you're looking to sit, sip some Japanese beer or hot tea, and hang out - Sushi Station is not the place. I guess I can call it a "fast food" version of a sushi restaurant. People are lined out the door sometimes at lunch time, so they try to keep things moving. But don't get me wrong - some of my favorite rolls can be found at Sushi Station. Their Bos-Station Roll (tuna, cucumber, avocado), Fire-Station roll (crab salad, spicy sauce, sesame seeds), and San Diego roll (salmon, spicy mayo, tempura crumbs) are some of my favorites. I also LOVE the Caribbean Roll and you can't find that anywhere else. Also, I love their super white tuna nigiri which is $3.25 for 2 pieces, but if you order sashimi style they give you 4 pieces for $3.25 and instead of rice they give you a ton of cucumber. Pretty good! The crab is real crab meat (we saw them breaking up apart the crab legs one day) unless otherwise specified (imitation crab meat). They have the best Spider Roll from all the places I've had them. And if you don't find anything on the conveyor belt you can always order something from the menu. Prices are per plate and range from $1.25 per plate up to $6.25 per plate. Some people complain that prices have gone up a quarter, but I don't mind it. The staff is nice and they always greet you with hello or goodbye (in Japanese) when you are coming or going. It gets very crowded during lunch and on Saturdays but it's worth the wait. They just opened up another restaurant in Elgin but have not tried that one. If you are a party of 2 they'll sit you at the bar, if you are 3 or more they have side tables that are connected to the bar area. I think its definitely worth a try.
(4)Lissette M.
The first time i ever came here i fell in love...but after that and the whole publicity they got the sushi hasnt been that great... the california rolls taste real weird as though the cucumbers where sitting out too late...but there are some awesome and unique rolls.
(3)Gina G.
I love sushi...sometimes I need sushi on the run. Sushi Station is my spot to drop by. Tucked in a tiny strip mall. Serve yourself. Food is ready to eat and stays fresh in the refrigerated conveyor belt inside a glass tube. Great spot for kids and non-sushi lovers. There is a wide variety available for all taste buds. Caution: Staff is all about turning the tables, getting you in and out ASAP. Smiles available upon request. New location open in Elgin. Prices went up .25 per plate. (One lil complaint, Get rid of the runny packaged wasabi. It reminds me of bad toothpaste coming out of the tube!)
(3)Richard O.
My favorite thing about coming here is for the sushi moving through all the tubes in the resturant. Very cool concept to pick your sushi as it passes in front of you. I can sit down and start eating right away what a concept. I really enjoy coming here at any time. It gets busy at times the food is very good here. The also have good service with good sake and deserts.
(3)Ginger D.
The first time I went to Sushi Station was almost two years ago. At the time, I had never been to a sushi place like it. You sit down and the food is right there in front of your eyes moving past you on a conveyor belt and you get to chose what you want. The first time I went, we had a party of 6, so there was a variety of food to choose from on the table. I left stuffed, nearly unable to walk, but happy. Since then I have told everyone I know about Sushi Station because of a few reason. Firstly, the fish is really fresh. I don't know where they get their fish and how they can sell it for such an affordable price, but it's extremely fresh. And secondly, I have already mentioned, that it is pretty affordable. The Uni is $6 for 2 pieces, where at a lot of other Japanese restaurants it is $5 or $6 just for one piece. This reigns true for all of the other nigiri and rolls. My favorite here is the shark fin and jelly fish piece. No other restaurant that I've been to has had this and it is the reason why I keep going back. The plates are color coded, each plate being a different price ranging from $1.25 to $6.25, and yes they did raise their prices recently, but by $.25! Rice has gone up in cost, and it is natural for a restaurant to raise prices from time to time. It's still a good bargain. The downsides are that they don't have a lot of hot foods. If you don't eat raw pieces or rolls, you only have some appetizers to choose from. Also if you go during peak lunch and dinner times, you will have to wait. It's crowded and loud and at times, you feel a little rushed by the staff to leave. However, if you can ignore that, you will have a great time here. Or try ordering take out. They give you a pretty platter of your order and it's just as good when you take it home. They also recently opened a new, bigger location in Elgin that should be worth a try. Keep up the good work!
(4)Linda C.
I ventured here for dinner since a friend recommended it. The highlight of my evening was the sushi coming down the conveyor belt. I didn't understand why this place was so packed as they served mediocre sushi. I probably would have been more satisfied eating at Mitsuwa Market. We had a variety of sushi from the conveyor belt and also ordered a few rolls and some noodles off the regular menu. Too bad that I can't remember anything worth mentioning. My quest for a good sushi place goes on!
(2)Cyndi K.
This is a very casual, fun place for sushi. As said in other reviews, there is a U shaped counter that you sit at and the sushi is on a covered, refrigerated conveyor belt that just keeps coming around and around. It is constantly being replenished, so if you just missed the one item you wanted, just wait, and it will probably be on the next go-around. There is also a menu that you can order from, it explains what each item is; certain specialty items that generally aren't on the conveyor belt can be ordered from the menu. The different color plates that the sushi is served on indicates how much the item is. The hot green tea is delicious and a perfect accompaniment to the sushi. My favorites are the Godzilla rolls and the San Diego rolls. My daughter and I have eaten here many times, mostly for lunch, and we have never had to wait. When you leave, all the staff yell "thank you" as you leave. It's really a fun and tasty experience.
(4)Jazz V.
It doesn't take a lot to entertain me, which is why I love coming to Sushi Station. I find a lot of entertainment watching the conveyor belt as it goes past. Some rolls are pretty to look at, like the caterpillar roll or the dream roll. Some I like watching because of its "fear factor" factor (jellyfish anyone?). The taste and quality itself of the rolls is just okay. Taste-wise, I like the hanako roll, spider roll, tamago, and scallops the best. After a while, though, everything begins to taste the same, which is when I start reaching for the cheaper plates if I'm still hungry. The wait staff are always quick and attentive as well. Lastly, $1 green tea ice cream to finish off your meal! One of my favorite places to come when I'm in the Schaumburg area!
(4)Little Miss L.
cheap, fast and fun. yes...it's fun. we were full off of $30 worth of sushi. good variety, too. not the worlds best sushi, but surely tasty and fresh. lots of choices and again, a really good deal. can't wait to go back for din.
(4)Bella D.
My cousin recommended this place for take out and dine in. Comparable to sushi joints in SF. I heart Sushi Station. Cool sushi belt of food. Fresh and great. Try the Magma Roll, Masago, Phoenix Roll, and the other rolls and Nigiri are great!! Nice Staff!!
(4)Beth H.
I go to this place at least once a week, and while the sushi is usually ok, it is the staff that I have issue with. They want you in, and they want you out. While there are a couple pleasant "servers," one in particular is crazy rude. (I won't display her name, you'll know if you get her, trust me.) Overall, you do not feel welcomed in a sincere way at all, and if you have a request for anything special don't expect it. If it weren't for the price, and speed of eating here (unless there is a wait and that can be a LONG time!) I would not go here simply because of the staff.
(3)Tony D.
Wanted to try a different sushi place. Heard about this place through a friend a few months back. So a friend and I decided to give it a try. it's not half bad. We went there on a saturday afternoon just in time for the lunch rush. The wait was a little long, about 20 - 30 mins, but we didnt mind. After we sat down we perused the selection of sushi that was passing us by on the conveyor belt. I was hoping they would have had a lunch special but none was found. The prices varied by plate. I believe prices were about $1.25 - $6.50 per plate. Sushi was about avg, I couldn't get the names of some of the rolls cause we missed what they were called on the name platter. I did have the Cali roll, eel, sandiego roll and several others. Price for me w/drink and tip was $20, my buddy spent about $30. I was not too happy about being cramped up at the sushi bar and felt rushed through my meal. I might return but at a less busier time.
(3)Leigh K.
Oops! Thought I had reviewed this one! Love that I randomly found it while lost looking for IKEA a couple years back. Finally found my way back here again tonight (after getting lost in the burbs again). Lovely waitstaff and very helpful. I got three veggie rolls: the cucumber roll, the vegetable roll (cucumber, carrot, avocado?), and the fiesta roll which is jalapeno, avocado, cucumber, tomato, and cilantro. I love places that have good options for veggies. The dessert with the two kinds of mochi balls; plain in a sweet soy glaze and green tea mochi with red bean paste on top. The plain ones are weird but good, but the green tea ones didn't please my palate. Otherwise, great job! I will be back (and hopefully won't get lost again).
(4)kinke s.
this is the place has so much fun for sushi eats, where you can find all you favorite sushi in many different color little plates on a turning belt, this belt actually carries all the fresh made sushi go around the tables & room right in front your eyes, you can pick up anything you may like & wanna try from the belt. The empty spot will soon be refilled with other new items when it moves back to front of you next time. it's like eat on a endless sushi feast, you have tons sushi / side salads / sweet treats / little cakes to chose from...of course you can also order from their menu too, food will bring to your table in a short wait period. after you finish eating, the wait staff will come to your table to count the colorful plates paled in front of you, which you pick out on the moving belt earlier & already been emptied by your mouth , each color has its own price, same color will count as same price, they will give you a total at end, all you have to do is pay it at cashier on your way out!
(4)Nick W.
Sushi Station is my favorite restaurant in the Burbs, it is a great place for friend's and family and can be a fun way to introduce those who may not be familiar with sushi to some great dishes. I don't think there's anything more that hasnt been said in other reviews, try it for yourself you won't be disapointed.
(4)Valerie G.
I eat Sushi Staion with my BF all the time. We rarely eat-in. We've noticed that if you eat out they'll make your sushi fresh. Also, when you eat in they like to rush you out which is quite annoying. If they had better customer service and fresher fish I might have given this place 5 stars.
(4)Anna M.
I love this place. The endless little plates of sushi going round and round on the conveyor belt, the magma roll (spicy and delicious!) and the japanese cheesecake (you'll ask for seconds) are the highlights I have from Sushi Station. We usually pig out there but last time, we were stuffed and our tab wasn't as high. Plates are color-coded so you have a good idea of how much it'll be. The toy machines up front are cute too, you can get Hello Kitty mobile phone chain for $1. I'm glad they've opened up another location.
(5)Milie S.
I really like the design of this restaurant. They have a conveyor belt which rotates the sushi around the u-shaped counter. If you see something you like then just open the little door and grab it. Maybe I got there too late in the day, but the fish wasn't that great and the maki's with tempura crunches just didn't... crunch? Overall a decent place to go when you're craving sushi but you can't wait.
(3)Sady C.
came here on a friday food adventure night with the munchies ready to max out! the wait was about 15min tops and holy jesus so much food going around in circles. had shrimp tempura rolls, shiggy roll(fried calamari), fried shumai(eh), dumplings(bearable), fried mini chicken(blegh), mixed tempura- had to ask the servers to throw them back in the deep fryer cause my sweet potatoes were wayyy undercooked :( they shouldve said yes and brought me a new one. instead my friend and i found ourselves dealing with 2 asian ladies who couldnt speak any engrish and had difficulty understanding the difference between over cooked and undercooked and just plain cooked! being asian i knew how to tackle on the problem. i visually showed her what the deal was and she said a big ohhh and brought me back the best tempura a customer with munchies could ever have. lastly had a tiramisu which was icecream like and it actually tasted prettttyyyy good! overall it was a goodnight to escape the city to go to the burbs for a relaxing night of decent sushi! (i left satisfied)
(3)Demetrio P.
Good place for sushi! Went with a couple friends, wait was a little long as this place gets busy, but once we sat and ate everything turned out good. Prices are reasonable, and conveyor belt delivery system was amusing.
(4)Jimmy F.
It's comforting to know that the minute you sit down, you can start eating. This place uses a mini baggage claim conveyor belt system to circulate the more popular sushi. If you see something on the menu that they don't have on the conveyor, you can always request it. I recommend this place for the novice sushi eater since the portions and price are fairly decent. We usually average a bill around 10-15 bucks per person.
(4)Aleksandra H.
I LOVE sushi and i LOVE Sushi Station!!! I can hardly wait to get there and the minute I sit down I start grabbing all the plates I can as they go by on the conveyor belt....it's hard to control myself when I see all the goodies go by right within my reach (check out my pictures for some of them:P) Their staff is always very nice and attentive with my green tea and water refills. I've been there on several occasions when it was really busy and we still got great service. The different color plates tell you how much each portion costs and they vary from about $2-$5 each; it's not bad value for the great tasting sushi, but the trick is to stop grabbing the plates before you've collected 20 of them....
(5)Soo S.
Such a cute place for sushi! The portions are really decent and for the price the quality is not all to bad! Great to hit that sushi craving when on a budget. The ambiance is so hip and retro I LOVE IT!!!
(5)erin g.
my favorite sushi restaurant in the burbs... fresh, fast (obviously), friendly, and best of all, cheap! i come here all the time and i've never had a bad experience. the lunch specials are unbeatable, especially the godzilla roll... SO. GOOD. check this place out! it's worth it for the novelty alone.
(5)Laura L.
I was extremely excited to experience this well raved about "Sushi Station". However, my experience was far from wonderful. First off the whole theme of the place is quite amusing, but their selection really is for people who have no experience with Sushi. There rolls are very different and they don't have many ordinary choices. The things they put in Sushi do not belong in Sushi. Also, all the Sushi is warm. While you can get them from the menu, its not as fun and the staff is not as friendly about it. Everything was going ok, until our waitress starting hassling us to get out. This is not a place to sit and chat. This is truly fast food. Except however, last time I checked at McDonald's you can sit there as long as you want. Not here at Sushi Station. Between me and my two cousins we had spent a good amount of money, had not even been there an hour and were debating getting one more plate. Our waitress kept coming over and asking us if we were done, we would tell her no and she would roll her eyes and give us cold looks. It was quite uncomfortable. I finally decided to take one more dish and I was in the midst of eating it when she came by yet again for a second time and asked us if we were ready to leave. We said no. She then proceeded to come by again about 10 minutes later and tell us that other people were waiting and we HAD to leave. Mind you again, it had not even been an hour and we waited 20 minutes for our table. Furious we went up to the counter to pay and they were so rude to us up there as well. This was the only time in my entire life that I have not left a tip. As soon as they realized that there was no tip left they started talking about us in Japanese and looking me and one of my cousins up and down while we were waiting for my other cousin to pay. I couldn't believe they had the audacity to do this right in front of us! Over all it just was a bad experience and I am sorry we chose to go there.
(1)Wanda L.
Great little place where you can be as big of a risk-taker as you like since each dish is just a couple of dollars. I've been here a few times, and its always been good, with a great selection. My only complaint is that some of the maki rolls are just too big. Its impossible to fit the entire roll in your mouth, chew it and breathe at the same time. But they are damn tasty, so its worth the choking risk.
(4)H. S.
what's with all the good reviews? sushi conveyor belts are dumb, boats are way cooler. The sushi here was so bad. It is cheap though. I know when you pay 15 bucks for sushi, you shouldn't expect as much as when you pay 50 bucks, fine, but this was just terrible. Are midwestern suburbs so devoid of sushi that this is all there is? At least in california, there is way better cheap sushi than this. I suspect in chicago as well.
(1)Renato P.
My first sushi restaurant , and daddy still likie sushi. Prior to my trip to this place in 2005 , I had only eaten sushi at Chinese buffets (not even Todai yet), and the pre packaged boxes in grocery stores like Jewel and Meier. I felt it was time to jump into the sushi water. This place looks a little Blade Runner , with a little conveyor belt carrying different variety's of sushi. I went safe with tuna , salmon ,yellowtail, shrimp , and snapper sashimi , and tuna rolls. Everything was great , great enough for me to continue to eat sushi to this day. Sadly I only hit this place up once , for whatever reason (no one else in my family likes sushi for one). I also found an all you can eat place (Todai) , and a place closer to my house. I'm still a sushi rookie , but I'd like to come here again to see what I think now. This place has no ambiance short of a sci fi diner feel , this is a lunch place or a solo dinner place. ... Got back to here , this time with my mom and son in tow. My son has been spreading his gastronomical wings lately and sushi is one direction he veered. I tried a variety of different rolls this time and really liked the Mexican roll (white tuna,avocado, jalapenos, and cilantro), the spicy tuna roll, the shrimp nagiri, and the gyoza. The spicy salmon roll and the terriyaki chicken wasn't as good, but not bad , the fried chicken pieces were a little better than the terriyaki. Had the Snow and King crab , both were very good , the fatty white tuna was good , the belly salmon was good , a little better than the regular salmon. The egg sushi was rejected by 2 members of my lunch party , I knew better than to try it. ... I now feel I've had enough sushi to downgrade Sushi Station's food quality to 3 stars. Due to the sheer volume of "good" dishes , and the Blade Runner theme to the place , we'll leave it at 4 stars , just by a nose. My kid also likes this place , and any place that keeps fatty fried foods out of his gullet is ok by me. ... Perspective means everything. I have to say in hindsight , the spicy tuna rolls are near the bottom of the places I like , just above ok , barely in the pretty good spectrum. All the yellowfin stuff is good , their nigiri stuff is good. The Gyoza is almost deep fried , I way prefer it not so heavily fried , still good. I guess the selling point is getting to see everything , and that still applies.
(4)Diane Z.
I have been coming here about every week for the past year, delicious is what I have to say!! I was not much of a sushi fan before but since the conveyor belt style place allows you to try many things, it is great! Good food and great service.
(5)niki k.
Good casual place to enjoy sushi with friends, can feel kind of rushed as soon as your done eating though b/c they get pretty busy, but they are very inexpensive and its always fresh
(4)calvin n.
Been here twice love the set up of the little train it self always digged that and had fun opening and grabbing the food. The rolls were nice but some of them were poorly rolled it was either too much rice or fell apart. Fairly reasonable prices for each item. I really liked the strawberry and condensed milk though even though that is a incredibly simple dish, And anouther down fall of this place was that it was waaayyy to Americanized they should have kept some original stuff in it...
(3)Yhatzina L.
I tried Sushi station after hearing quite a buzz about this japan-style revolving array of fresh tasty sushi zooming right by you and you pick as you go. I can definately say it was worth the trip. I had a glass of cold sake, and with the small plates, it was quite an adventure trying out at least a dozen different types of sushi. All was amazingly delicious and the rolls were out of this world. The staff is enthusiastic and service-driven shouting thank you all around the board when each guest walks out which is so cute! They only thing that I didn't love was that some of the items revolving didn't have the lids as mandated by the health department, and provides refrigeration. The busboys could have been a bit less intrusive, but these little details didn't overall deter the happiness of our family trying out the sushi station and having quite a blast doing it ! It is also GREAT if you are on the go. You could literally get in and out in 15 mins which is great for commuters.
(4)Erin W.
This woud be a five star review except for the food quality, but I'll get to that.. Sushi Station is a great if you want to get a friend hooked on sushi! You don't get a full roll of anything (2-3 pieces per plate) so you can try a lot of different things. The price is phenomenal for sushi! I usually walk out of there with a $12-18 bill and am plenty full. The quality of the food isn't always great, but I always go back! Sometimes it is a bit warm but that is the sacrifice you pay for this type of experience.
(4)Chicago P.
If you were like me being very skeptical about Sushi as being rice with raw fish, would not risk spending a lot of money to find other wise try this place and you would defiantly change your opinion about this great cuisine. The place should be accepted as a start up for trying this cuisine and not to be considered for a great ambient evening with some wait times lots of noise and an average decor. The place has this conveyer belt on which food is rolling out, you can pick if you find something interesting or order from the menu, I was amazed at the popping flavors from the rolls as I was expecting some bland food being Japanese. I highly doubt the authenticity of the food could also hardly find much fish, shrimp in the rolls but as long as food tasted great I wasn't really worried especially after they being so inexpensive, this also bottles down to the question of can we really eat authentic ethnic food anymore? Either ways would recommend and revisit the place many more times to come.
(4)Steven L.
Sushi was acceptable but I still feel it is rather pricey for what you get. The place is always packed and other than the novelty factor, it is a pain to get what you want if you come as a group. The people standing near the conveyor must grab for everyone.
(3)Philip C.
Great sushi for the price. A lot of variety of sushi. Nice setting and polite service.
(5)rob m.
there are really 2 parts to my review, the sushi quality and price rate 5 stars, the items on the convey er are extremely fresh and have never disappointed....the tempura on the menu is excellent and every time i have ordered carryout, it has been ready on time and correct...the service is extremely efficient as your drinks are refilled constantly and your tray tops cleared wihin seconds of removing.....i have eaten at sushi places all over the world and the quality of the salmon nigiri here is equal to any and i will argue it with any of you pseudo food snobs out there who always like to feel that however good someplace is, you have eaten at better...although this is one of very few places to offer fatty salmon (which is so buttery smooth, you won't believe it), there is almost no need to pay extra as the standard salmon is as good as it gets.....the rest is more of a rant so read on or ignore at your descretion, this place could really use a comprehensive business review, they close each day between 2 and 5 and stop refilling the tray far too early so if you are one of the many people who prefer a later relaxed/casual lunch, forget coming here as by 1:00, you will have minimal choices to browse and you will have to order each dish specifically before "last call" at 1:45, kind of defeating the purpose of kaiten sushi ...amazingly, the new location in elgin has the same policy despite being ENORMOUS and located between every retail store and restaurant chain on earth along randall road...i simply cannot believe that any business owner is willing to turn away such an incredible volume of customers....once while eating at the next door restaurant (an applebees or chilis i think) i must have watched 20 cars pull up within the one hour i ate, see that they were closed and drive away ..clearly since they were pulling in, they were not familiar with the hours which would tend to mean they were a potential first time customer which all businesses ache for and Sushi Station seems to feel they can live without....when you see the size of this place inside for the first time(and wasted $ space from a sales point of view)you will understand.....i honestly get concerned that no business can afford to shut down midday and maintain the overhead this space must entail...why should i care?.... because i LOVE THE FOOD and would like to see the restaurant succeed but succeeding at the elgin spot with the current policys will be a challenge only Hiro Nakamura could overcome.
(5)Joy D.
the last 3 reviews w/ only 1 and 2 stars really surprise me, considering this is the best sushi restaurant in the nw suburbs. the fish is always fresh (mainly because of the refrigerated conveyor belt), which is what really makes good sushi ... unlike the review stating sushi is all about the rice - rice? c'mon! also, as an asian having grown up in california and living in hawaii for 4 years, i'm confident in saying that sushi station can very much compete with sushi restaurants in those states.
(5)Jennifer G.
I just do not understand all of the rave reviews. I found the sushi to be warm, far too warm for sushi, the prices were a bit high and everything was just blah. Sure, the conveyor belt thing is cool but that does not excuse the warm yucky rolls.
(2)Brandon F.
Sushi Station is my go to place for some solid lunch sushi. The sushi is good, and how often does one get to experience pulling their food off a conveyor belt? The place is typically packed, so if you're trying to go for lunch, get there before noon.... actually don't... then I will have more people to compete with. The Philadelphia rolls are great as are the dragon and godzilla rolls, and if you can unhinge your jaw to fit the caterpillar roll, you might as well give it a shot.
(4)DR. S.
***************** Parent Advisory************ The scene of this Japanese restaurant is causal serving style which is kind of like fast food restaurant (e.g McDonald) but serving sushi since all the sushi is made ahead of time and placed on the track for you to choose. My wife and I have been going there since they first open, and we now have a 18 months old son. We went on Saturday and got sat at one of the table in the back by the end. Once we got sat, my son grabbed couple of their ***CHEAP PLASTIC SOY SAUCE DISH*** which cost $0.25 cents each where you can find it at Chinatown. The server immediately grabbed the dish back from my 18 months old when he (Male Asian) saw my son was playing with it. You can tell me if you feel that was not appropriated; however, you have no right to touch my son without my permission which is very disrespectful as you might hurt him by grabbing the dish from his hand. We have experienced with how they treat customers , and we definitely spread the words to all our friends (most of them already have kids) as they are not friendly with kids. Bye Bye Sushi Station! Never see you again in my life time.
(1)Kelly L.
It was an enjoyable experience until my daughter pulled a hair out of her mouth from her udon soup. And if that isn't bad enough, the waitress handled the situation the worst way anyone could handle it. She acted as if we had plucked one of our own hairs out of our heads and placed it in my daughters mouth so we wouldn't have to pay for the soup. She looked at us as if it was our wrong doing. She examined it right in front of us. She did not apologize until the point in which she had to apologize due to the looks my daughters and I exchanged. When we went to tell the manager, she acted as if she wanted us to stop complaining so no one can hear our complaints. We will not be returning,
(2)Ginny L.
I don't like raw fish. It weirds me out. However, my friends all love it, and this place satisfies us all. They have some amazing dishes that have smoked salmon or shrimp instead of raw fish, as well as some hot dishes to order, though I'm happy grabbing whatever passes by on the super-awesome conveyor belt. My favorites are the Hanako roll and the Paradise roll, though the Spider roll is great too. If you go at an off-time, take your time eating because new interesting stuff will likely roll around as more people show up! I love seeing all the little mini desserts go by, and though they're fairly overpriced, I can't resist trying at least one of them. Last time I had the mini carrot cakes, which were pretty good. This is a fun experience, though since people are constantly watching the conveyor belt, it's a little difficult to carry on a conversation. Oh and be warned! The little plates add up really fast. (;
(4)Victoria h.
1. the sushi moves on a conveyor belt, but it's not refrigerated at all. So when you eat it, it's warm. Now, I'm not the health department, but I imagine the fish needs to be refrigerated. The chocolate covered strawberries are good, but the chocolate isn't hard and, if you're not careful, ends up all over your hands. 2. My friend grabbed some sushi, looked at it, and stuck it back onto the conveyor belt. Big no-no. Although we had a few of the restaurant workers standing near us, no one said a thing. I wonder how many people done this same thing, maybe even worse (?). 3. They don't have unagi roll. wtf? They have eel, they have eel nigiri, but not unagi roll? If you order something that's not on the menu, be prepared to pay for rice. I ordered a salmon roll and it was a tiny piece of salmon with lots of rice. 4. Honestly, I wouldn't come back. The prices are fair, the service is quick, maybe a little too quick - in a 2 minute period, 4 or 5 people asked me if I wanted a refill. There are a ton of other sushi place I'd visit before coming back here.
(2)Stevie V.
Me and my wife love this place. In fact, every time we have a visitor from out of town, we bring them here. It's just a fun environment with good food that won't break your wallet. Oh and they always yell "Thank You" when you leave.
(4)Beth F.
I love this place. My boyfriend and I enjoy the selection, novelty and reasonable prices of this place. As a person who loves to visualize the food I'm eating, this makes casual sushi dining experience fun and satisfying. Inexpensive sushi can sometimes be scary when you don't know what you're going to get, but this place always offers up fresh selections that look as good as they taste (sometimes the taste is even better!) My standard picks are the Station roll, San Diego roll, and Caribbean roll. Although having to wait 10 minutes for a spot at the conveyor'o'sushi isn't ideal for the gotta-eat-now restaurant goer, you know it's gotta be good if you're waiting for it. Plus you get your food instantaneously once you do sit down. And what's 10 minutes anyway? A great bonus is that they'll make you anything you ask off of the extensive menu. Delish!
(4)Terrence C.
So when someone says conveyor belt sushi, or authentic Japanese food in Rolling Meadows, it makes me laugh to myself. How silly of me. This place is delicious. I thought the concept was funny, until I went to Japan and realized it is a staple in casual Japanese sushi dining. The idea of seeing your food, picking what you want and don't want is awesome. If dim sum and the traditional sushi bar had a baby (in the suburbs) Sushi station would be born. Service is just ok, but really who needs service? I was surprised how fresh the sushi was considering it is not made to order. After paying closer attention, I realized the turn over for the small plates is pretty quick. Everything was on point, but if you're looking for specialty rolls, fried and drenched in sauces with bright colors, don't go to sushi station, but I hear you can order them from the sushi masters in the middle. You'll get quality, traditional plates. As with any popular spot be prepared to wait a good 30-1hr to get seated during grub prime times. The plates are small in size which is great for trying a multitude of rolls. I have yet to explore the menu itself, but I don't foresee there being any downfalls here either. Great fun sushi spot. Not to bad on your wallet either!
(4)Natalie M.
Watching food go by on a conveyor belt- super fun. Hot green tea- wonderful. Chatting with your friends- superb. Having the chance to sample different pieces without ordering a whole roll- sushi heaven. I love sushi station, although they dont have as many veggie rolls as some other places. The agedashi tofu is tasty, the tea is hot and they have little mini desserts- who could ask for more?! I dont make it out there enough because Schamburg is so darn far from the city. Bring your appetite, good friends and quick reflexes for a great sushi experience.
(4)Don B.
Sushi Station is great for lunch and dinner. They have a wide variety of sushi and sides. Their seaweed salad is my favorite. The conveyor belt (Kaiten principle) is a great feature. You can pick and choose whatever you'd like and the price is indicated by the color of the plate. If it's not on the belt, you can order it and have brought to you. All of their rolls are great tasting and fresh...except for anything with eel. Stay away from the eel. I've had it twice and it's cut way too thick, has fat on it, and had many bones. Not very good at all. Staff is friendly, refills are always there before you run out, and the wait is never more than 15 minutes...and it gets very crowded in there. This is definitely a place to check out. -They have a second larger location in Elgin.
(4)Don R.
Not bad. Came here for lunch yesterday with some of my coworkers. Ran into the lunch crowd so there was a nice wait. However, everything tasted well. Nice revolving table with continuous sushi. They had a nice selection to choose from. The only sushi I really wanted but was hard to get was salt water eel. However, I was able to order it with my waitress and they brought it to me. As anticipated, it tasted excellent. This place has warranted a return whenever I'm in the mood for sushi. However, I gotta pick my time better to beat the lunch crowd.
(4)J.C. And Jenn M.
We've been coming here for over 8 years for their awesomely-priced signature rolls and sushi. The Station Rangoon is superb, their golden shrimp and pot stickers are great, and they always make new rolls for each season! Staff is tremendously friendly, and the restaurant itself is spotless. There's always a long wait on Fridays at dinnertime, so be sure to go RIGHT when they open, or later on in the night.. Some of our favorites are the Station Roll, Wildfire Roll, Snow White Crab, and the Hanako Roll. This place is a MUST TRY if you're in the Woodfield area, just make sure they're open, since they close at 2pm, and reopen at 5pm. Will definitely be back here very soon!
(5)Andrea P.
All the food taste old. I only liked the udon. But it is inexpensive. I paid only half of what was expected. Even though there are some good things everything else is bad. There is no space. I feel cramped up in a small space. You can't move your chair back without hitting anyone. First off I'll talk about the food. All of it is cheap. You can taste it in the food. Never have the cooked egg. It might taste good then but you will regret it later. My child threw up. Secondly, there is no space. Not only is it tight, the place is so busy. Some days you would try to go in but can't even make it through the doorway. Why would you want to go there when there are so many more wonderful places nearby. I really enjoy sushi but this is just a disappointment. Lastly, they have the worst service. My brother a had a very important business call so he went out. All my nieces and nephews were here and we had to separate we were okay until the manager and this tall girl with a black shirt and glasses came over and full yell and us. She said we have to wait for my brother. But the problem of waiting is the kids and I have to be separated. We had to even talk to the manager. Instead of talking it out, she put her hand in front of my face. In conclusion, never ever come here. None of it is worth it.
(1)Dinah T.
I still love this place, the fish taste fresh and the staff is friendly and quick. I like that I don't have to ask for a refill cause they know yo! I'm in a salmon kick lately and this place is all I know that sell fatty salmon nigiri. It melts in your mouth taste like butter! And I like their hot n spicy scallops nigiri, yum! I also like their take out. They are polite and quick! I had to contain myself from eating my order in the car....I'm almost home hang in there gurl, lol! I'll be back!
(5)Eric M.
One of the best sushi in the area! Many different variety, making it very fresh, most of the time right in front of you. And they came in little serving size you can see and take it out of the little track. It is very cool. Only down side is it is almost always full during lunch and dinner time so you have to come early and wait in line. But yes, give this place a try if you like sushi!!!!
(5)Renaud S.
Good place to eat sushis, the conveyor system is super cool and makes you taste everything you want. Ingredients are fresh and tasty, which is a great plus. However I did not liked at all having spicy mayonnaise on several meals. Finally staff is nice. I recommend it for a funny friendly and quick sushi meal. Lots of queue and waiting if you don't come at opening time.
(3)Real D.
Sushi Station is our go to sushi place now. It's consistent. The size of the rolls are good. Rolls are tight. The ratio to rice and sushi is excellent. The rice is not overly vinegar-ed. The staff are super, super friendly, attentive and accommodating. I consider them a good neighborhood sushi joint. Quality of fish is good.
(4)Alison G.
We were here tonight around 6:45, no reservation and got a table just cleared for three of us, so lucky cause there were many people waiting for a spot. And there are many more people coming in throughout our dinner. My friend gets so excited seeing conveyor belt sushi bar because there aren't many in the suburbs. There are various types of sushis and rolls to choose from and also non sushi type such as soft shell shrimp, tempura, seaweed salad etc. They also have soup, dessert on the menu which you can order from the kitchen. Service was better than i expected. The server is very friendly and come to refill more tea without me asking, and when we asked for more wasabi she got us more right away, which was nice! And they keep saying thank you thank you many many times!! One problem is that I think the belt (or the frozen showcase?) is not "frozen" enough so that i felt the sushi or roll or any raw fish there are sort of warm, I prefer cold. They better fix it to keep the fishes cold. Warm is not nice. The other bad was their sushi rice doesn't stick so basically everything falls off, it means so much rice leaves in the soy sauce plate when you are dipping it. We paid about $26 each person, it's not expensive unless you eat a lot. Overall it's not that bad, its fun if you enjoy the conveyor belt. But if you are looking for high quality sushi you are at the wrong place.
(3)Linyun Q.
Utterly disappointed! As someone who enjoy real good sushi.. This is the most Americanized Japanese sushi joint I have ever been too. They have Oreo as a sushi dish here, not kidding! I am sure for those folks who has never been to a real sushi place, this place can be a treat. Like some of you who love Panda Express and call it good chinese food. If you love it, that's fine, I am not judging. But for those who hopes for real sushi experience, stay far far away! This place is a disgrace for sushi. I imaging a Japanese sushi master would have killed himself for pride here. That being said, the place has clean environment and friendly staff. I can't bad mouth them. They are good. Besides, northwest chicks would dig this place. So good luck.
(3)Mallory S.
Honestly I'm over this place. Everything just tastes the same now. I've realized that the quality really represents the price. I feel like I only like it because of the spicy mayo sauce to drown out the bad fish flavor. Also, when busy the chefs seem to roll the maki veryyy poorly. It just resembles a rice pile on a plate. Finally, they always rush you and try to get you to leave as quick as they can. They are very impatient with their paying customers. Like sometimes I wanna sit and enjoy my company, not put my head down and eat as fast as I can. Not to mention you can't even be seated until everyone in your party is there which is so annoying--even when it's empty. I will still continue to come here but I'm just over it.
(3)Mark D.
Decent moderately priced sushi. Wide variety. They move past you on a conveyer belt. Different colored plates are different prices. At lunch or dinner time you will probably have a wait.
(4)Ed S.
I wish I could give this place 6 stars, it was that good. My wife told me about this place and I went there for the first time today and I was blown away with how good the sushi was. The sushi is on a conveyor belt and you grab whatever rolls you'd like, then pay at the end. We were in and out of there in about twenty minutes. Huge selection of different sushi rolls too.
(5)Katie F.
Not sure what happened to pleasing the customer. I would give them negative starts for their customer service. We have been taking our 4 year old to the Elgin location for the past 2 years. He loves it and we have it where he sits between us so he can pick what he wants and watch the belt. We walked in here NOT during peak hours (around 4pm) and they REFUSED to sit us anywhere but a table. I feel like a party of 3 is that flexible number vs one that would need to be seated at a table or the bar. I understand the restaurant is small, but again it was not during peak hours so it was pretty dead in there. I asked the woman if she was kidding and was she really not going to let us sit at the bar (in the nearly empty restaurant), so said yes, so we turned around and drove to the Elgin location where the people could not have been nicer and we sat how we wanted.
(1)Daneih I.
I was searching for long time for convey belt sushi. When I saw the rating I was not sure is it worth it to drive from Chicago downtown to try this place or not. But when I came here I was surprise with the place. We went for Sunday lunch it was very busy and we wait about thirty minutes but it worth it. The decoration is nice, The waiters are friendly, the food is awesome and bathroom is clean. We love our experience with the convey belt and the kids enjoy it. We will come back again even the kids say that!
(5)Luke K.
Do you like eating sushi crowded next to as many people as possible with a service style that promotes turnover? Then you will like sushi station. Sushi station is not my favorite place to eat sushi, but I do like the conveyor system they have, you just grab as little or as much sushi as you want, so that way you're not served with large portions of you don't want them. Although, if you want to just relax a little bit and take a break from eating, the waiters will encourage you to either order more or to stand up and pay so they can seat more people.
(3)Sarah C.
I love this place!! The food is reasonably priced, especially at lunchtime on weekdays. You can choose what you want from the conveyor, and dishes are priced by plate color. If you don't see what you want, you can place an order. Be sure to get the (bottomless) hot tea, the spicy scallop nigiri, and the fatty salmon. Get there early, you will probably have to wait.
(5)C D.
Good sushi but....no serving liquor if you don't have an ID and your 60 years old? CRAZY. They don't get it
(4)SoSunnychicago S.
This is a small location, and not meant for big groups. They won't seat you until your party arrives, so don't be fussy. Most people are done in 40 mins or less, so waiting for your party is losing business for them! The sushi is on a conveyor belt, with portions less than 4 roll pieces or 2 pieces of sashimi. You can also order from their menu, including hot items like Station Shrimp. The plates are color-coded, and are counted at the end to determine your bill. ($1.25-6.50each), They have fountain drinks, also wines and beers available. They are closed during the afternoon, but have late hours in the summer. Check ahead of time.
(4)V P.
Went once at the request of a friend who had enjoyed the place. Service was terrible. Ordered tea and had one cup the entire hour or so we were there. Kept requesting more but it was never brought out. Sushi is low quality, I've found better at all you can eat places. My friend and I were catching up and slowly eating, not in a rush and we wanted to try multiple things. After about 30 minutes, once it became apparent to the staff we were staying longer, they seemed to try and rush us to leave. I had to say no, I am not done at least four times over food and over my empty tea cup. I will not be returning to this location. I had heard good things and I am certainly disappointed with my experience there.
(1)Jay I.
3.5 stars I thought it was a nice little inexpensive sushi joint. It seems to be quite popular at night so you may have to wait a little bit. The food that were in circulation were pretty good. Didn't have everything I wanted, but had a good selection for a sushi place. The freshness was not bad either considering some dishes are meant to stay afloat for a long time or may not even get picked up. Still since it is a sushi place and not an AYCE restaurant, your bill is not going to be light if you didn't count for what you eat. Well, still reasonable though.
(3)Mae B.
Went here with a girl friend.it was my first time. The sushi were okay. Cheap prices too. I only had 5 plates and I was full. I also had tonjiro soup. The service was ok, the waitress were like kind of trying to hurry us up because we were sitting in a table for 6 people even though theRe's really no one waiting. Overall, i enjoyed it. Will come back here again.
(4)Amy H.
I used to love coming here when I worked in Schaumburg. My co-worker and I would go here to get a quick sushi fix and for variety. It's a sushi bar, so there's a conveyor belt that rotates, and when you see something you like, you lift up the glass and pick up the plate. If what you want isn't on the conveyor belt, you can tell the waitress and she will order it for you. Each plate is colored and that will tell you the price of the each plate. For two people, my cost usually comes out to be $35. It's not bad at all. The place is small, so during peak hours, it is packed and you have to wait a long time. Also, because it's so small, they rush you when you're done eating. You cannot just sit there and chat, so keep that in mind.
(4)Ashley P.
Odd shut down hours.... When my husband & I tried to go one afternoon, they wouldn't seat us, the place was almost completely full, but they were taking a break and closing for a couple hours or something :( we were confused & we haven't tried to go back since :( Hoping to come back, but it's out of our way and we don't want to run into a similar problem again
(3)Joe Y.
Twenty minute wait while half the seats are empty because there is a 'rule' that parties of four can't sit at the sushi bar.
(1)Cathy H.
It's been over two years since last time I came to Sushi Station (not by choice) and I'm happy to say it's just as good as it was then, if not better. Since the set-up of the restaurant wasn't new to me anymore, I noticed a few things I never did before. First, I know a lot more about sushi than I did then and I noticed that there are a lot of non-traditional rolls on the conveyor, in addition to the old faves, which is nice for a change. Second, I really noticed that they take flavor and texture very seriously. I hardly dipped in soy at all and only used two pieces of ginger, for no real reason; didn't need them. The rolls have so much flavor on their own and they used lots of flavored tempura bits for texture. Usually a hot roll is just hot. Here there was a background of hot but there was still so much flavor to go along with that heat; I had 3-4 different hot rolls and they all tasted different. Third, I wasn't there long, maybe about 30 mins, and I noticed that while some of the same rolls were going around on the conveyor, the kitchen did a great job of adding new ones so that there were always new options. They're still doing a great job!
(5)Amanda U.
Just in this location and have been a customer for years. I ordered take out and when they finally found my order it was wrong. I had ordered two station rolls but the lady was arguing with me saying I ordered bostation and how she was a professional. (What does that even mean?!) Then she said I will do it this time (as if I would ever pay for food that I didn't order). The whole reason why they couldn't find my order is because it was under Linda and my name is Amanda. Clearly, not a "professional" if she cannot even get a simple name right. The fact that she argued with me is a sign of terrible customer service from the desk end. Mistakes happen and I wasn't upset over that I was upset over be fact she was basically calling me a liar.
(1)Raquel C.
This place is always a favorite of mine. The price for two people is quite amazing and the sushi is way better than you'd expect for what they charge at this place. If you are thinking about stopping here during lunch time expect to wait to be seated not that long of a wait though.
(5)Arash R.
Average sushi but the concept is interesting as you sit around a conveyor belt and sushi keeps running by you. Must try once
(3)Sameer R.
Not a lot of places out there that have such kind employees. The food is awesome. Best sushi in the burbs.
(4)Devonie M.
Love the concept and variety. Their crab salad is the best! Bostation and Fire Station rolls are my favorite. Not the highest end sushi but OK. Try to avoid going at peak times, and don't go less than 30 mins before closing... staff gets mean.
(4)Kimsy S.
I don't know why I bother. At this location, you are not treated as a customer. Just a number with money to get in-and-out pronto. When I am paying (plus tip) to dine, I prefer to take my time and relax. I don't camp at tables and stay for an unreasonable amount of time, but I do not rush. I get that this is a business with money to make, but I pay you money, too. Well, I did. No longer, especially for just passable sushi. For a far better dining experience, try Asian Tokyo a few doors down for their AYCE sushi and apps. Or try the Sushi Station in Elgin. Don't waste your time here (there wouldn't be much to waste, since they expect you to shovel down your food and get the hell out).
(2)Amy M.
We just love Sushi Station. My husband and I have different taste when it comes to sushi so being able to chose our own small plates is a great option. We love the variety of the sushi bar as well as the full menu. The staff is always extremely friendly, which makes the long waits worth while. We highly recommend the Spicy Station Rolls and the Spider Rolls.
(4)Tony K.
I went here on a Wednesday at around 8:30pm. I was starving! I didnt have anything to eat for most of the day. So as soon as I get in I have some ass-clown guy tell me that I have to pay my bill on or by 9pm because THATS when they close! I just looked at him for a few seconds while I decided to tell him off or to just shut up, sit down and eat something. If I wasnt soooooo hungry I would have told him and his staff to cram a spicy tuna roll up their ass! Alas I sat down and ate. The staff was constantly reminding me about the kitchen being closed! Its not 9 yet you SOBs! I can understand them wanting to go home BUT this is the HOSPITALITY industry! So show me some hospitality and let me F-ing relax and dont rush me! Youre supposed to let people eat and drink till they are content, treat your customers like they are paying for your livelihood and appreciate me being there spending my money! Not eat quickly then GTFO! Thankfully the sushi was very good. I quickly finished, then paid my bill. NO tip! You didnt deserve a dime from me. I'll think twice before going here again. They might have just lost a customer. You can go bite my unagi guys! But enjoy getting home in time! Too bad you dont have my tip money so you could go buy yourself a beer.
(2)Michele L.
I was interested in trying this place out because of the conveyer belt idea. I went to one in South Beach, Miami and it was amazing and super fun. I should have known a place like this in the suburbs of Chicago more than likely isn't going to have the freshest fish, everything be fried, and covered in spicy mayo. I really hope that there are better sushi options.
(2)Melissa M.
If you are looking for fancy high-quality sushi, this is not the place for it. This is for fun adventurous diners looking for a unique sushi experience. Sushi Station is the best kaiten sushi restaurant in the area. Sushi and other dishes are served on a conveyor belt which are fresh and tasty. This is our default spot for quick fresh sushi. Be warned though because the wait can be quite long. They do not take reservations.
(4)Amira C.
I've only been to sushi station a couple of times and I've already fell in love! I'll be coming to this location once or twice a week after school to get my sushi fix. The idea of a conveyor belt and picking our own sushi is one of the reasons it's so unique. The staff is very attentive and kind. The sushi here is very reasonable for the price. Especially for the lunch specials! You can't pass it up. The atmosphere is clean and bright. I would highly recommend this place! UPDATE: 12/11/14 I'm not sure if it was an off day or not, but one waitress at this location was absolutely horrendous. Unfortunately I could not get her name but she is an older asian woman with short hair. I asked her for a towelette and she proceeded to tell me to go to the bathroom. Excuse me? You're the server and I asked you for a favor. I regret giving her a tip!!!! SHE IS A TERRIBLE WAITRESS!!!
(2)Anna S.
I wish there was a non star option. This place is ridiculous. I used to go there at least once or twice a week but I am so over this place. Sushi is ok, but service is HORRIBLE! I took my dad there at 1.35, we were informed that the kitchen closes in 10 minutes and we need to order now. OK no problem. The lady came up to us at least 4 or five times asking if we were done. It was still 1.45. She came back again asking if we are going to order more. Can you say unprofessional? I felt like they were about to take our chairs away from underneath our butts just to make us leave. I would rather pay more but go to a place that actually appreciates their customers. Thank you Sushi Station for such a negative experience.
(1)Rawlins R.
Going to Sushi Station felt like I was back in Japan. Sushi Station is a fast paced Japanese style sushi restaurant. Most of the waitstaff is Japanese and will greet you in a traditional way. I don't believe they take reservations as this place is always busy. You will be given a number in the order you arrive and there are chair/bench areas around the outer edges of the restaurant. The focal point of the restaurant is the middle section that features the conveyor belt with moving sushi on it. After you are seated you can either order from the waitress or simply grab anything that looks good as it goes by. Items are priced according to the color plate that they are on. This is used as your tab when calculating your bill at the end. You get a nice warm toilette to clean your hands as you would in Japan. Everything we had was great. From the miso, to the gyoza, to the sushi. What a fun experience. If you want to feel like you are in Japan I strongly suggest coming here. We weren't sure if we needed to order from the waitress, just grab our food, when to ask for the bill, and where to pay. All of these things remind me of many of my experiences in Japan when I had no clue what was going on when dining out. Fortunately, everyone here speaks English so you won't feel completely lost. Simply ask a question if you have to.
(5)Dave M.
went here Friday for lunch with the guys. food was amazing and not badly priced. I highly recommend the Godzilla roll or Santiago roll. both really cheap and really good. the waitress was fantastic and the atmosphere is one of a kind. all the staff is very friendly as well.
(5)Jenny L.
Sushi Station isn't your ordinary 5 star fancy smancy sushi restaurant. It lacks quality, but I mean if you're looking for something quick, sushi station could be the place! The sushi is already made, so you just grab and eat. Btw I love the conveyer belt. If you love spicy, try the spicy scallop nirgri. IT IS DA BOMB. Sweet shrimp is fresh ALL the time. (Order the ones on the green plate). Get the regular 6 piece salmon roll (no spicy) because the salmon pieces they give you are huge!! Even though I like spicy, I'm not a fan of the spicy salmon roll though. It's weird... The fish is like mashed up with spicy mayo. Sharkfin jelly is soooo good too! (Not real Sharkfin of course). Other things to consider are Alaskan roll, spicy scallops hand roll, station roll, and the udon noodles! I don't normally get the sushi nirgri because it's usually frozen so no thanks. But I still love this place!
(4)Melissa C.
Love the concept if the moving sushi line! As far as I know, there are only a few in the area and this one is one of my faves. Lunch is the perfect time for this location. Although pretty popular, and therefore busy, they always have a weekday lunch special on their San Diego roll (3 pcs for $1.25) and their Godzilla roll (2 pcs for $1.25 but its the bigger makis). They're usually running at least one other special but it changes depending on the day. They have their standards here (Boston rolls, spider rolls, etc) but they've got some unique ones too. My fave is the Shrimp Harmony gunkan. It's a mixture of sweet shrimp, corn, cream cheese and masago on top of nigiri rice and wrapped with seaweed. If you've got some sushi-weary friends, this is a great alternative to starting them with California rolls!
(4)Laila N.
This place is ok. The idea is great but the choices are not plentiful enough. I did not think the shrimp tasted fresh. But I still come here when I crave sushi, however I know I'm settling.
(3)Jeffrey M.
The sushi is good but the service is terrible. They are rude and unresponsive. They have all kinds of stupid rules and policies like that only parties of 4 can sit at the bar together. Just say yes and never forget the customer is always right jerks
(1)Shima C.
I like to come here when I'm in the mood for quick cheap mediocre sushi. Don't expect high quality sushi from this place - especially the rolls. I've had multiple occasions where I grabbed a plate of spicy tuna roll with spicy mayo on top to find just rice under that mayo. No Tuna :( This place is more of a fun gimmicky place to take sushi newbies to see the revolving sushi conveyor belts.
(3)Tina H.
Food is good. People that work there are rude and treat their customers like cattle. This was my first date with my husband and our last at the Rolling Meadows location. The staff is down right rude and even confrontational! I RECOMMEND ELGIN LOCATION ONLY!!!! We drive 50 miles for a much better experience!
(2)Beverly H.
This has the best sushi I have ever eaten in my life! I love the Kieten and I miss it so much. I moved to Florida 3 years ago and we have nothing like Sushi Station here. The spicy tuna is a must have. It's literally so delicious my mouth is salivating just thinking about it! Go here, Go here, Go Here! I used to go here for my birthday dinners as well that's how much I think of Sushi Station.
(5)Jennifer L.
Sushi Station is our go-to place when we want good, reasonably priced sushi. They have some inventive rolls, as well as some traditional favorites, and the best part is, they come around to you on a conveyor belt! You can pull what you want from the conveyor belt or order things off the menu. When two of us go, we usually end up spending around $30-$35, which isn't bad since we typically eat until we're uncomfortably full. It can get really busy around dinnertime, especially on weekends, so go early. Do not go late! We once made the mistake of coming in an hour before close, which is not a problem for most other restaurants, but Sushi Station is not like most other places. They have no problem rushing people out of there if they need a table or if they're closing. They do give you plenty of advance notice, but it's still a really uncomfortable experience.
(4)Keith T.
Good place, sushi were kind of white washed. Overal was great, but you always have to wait in a long line.
(4)Y. K.
Beware: This place gets packed out. Never seen a line outside of a sushi joint before. It seems that since the sushi conveyor belt system takes up so much space, seating/tables are limited. Above average sushi with a great service staff. But come during off hours or else!
(4)Ryan W.
Conveyor belt sushi is always a plus! When we're up and out in the NW burbs of Chicago we usually stop for lunch. The small plates are cheap and good to get a couple different types. They are pretty militant with their signage and with letting you know when they are closing the kitchen and restaurant. We come in at 1:25 and were told about 10 times that the kitchen closed at 1:45 and the restaurants closed at 2. It was so much that it was a little off putting. And a couple of times it delayed us ordering food. Good food and fun place but just don't go close to closing.
(3)Jordan R.
Wow, what a perfect place for a quick dinner when you're near O'Hare. Good sushi places are rare, and I'd definitely put sushi station at the top of my list. We were seated once we entered and got experience the fun and trendy dining style of conveyor belt sushi! We ordered some spicy edamame, which we promptly devoured since it was amazing. Then we got a couple of sushi rolls, the Phoenix, the Fiesta, spicy sesame, and spicy crab. Everything was amazing and I just wanted to keep taking more from the conveyor. The edamame Shumai is also amazing! It's crispy and filled with edamame beans and it's definitely my favorite plate there. We ordered vanilla mochi to finish off our meal and it was just as magnificent as all of the other foods we've ordered there. The service was great, our waitress was attentive, friendly, and gave us her best recommendations since it was our first time. The prices were super cheap, each plate of sushi was 2.25 or 3.25 based on the color of the plate it was on and we made out with about 10 plates for $33 including the other things we ordered. This is definitely a diamond in the rough so I'd give it a shot and you won't be disappointed. We barely tried 1/6 of the food there, so we will be returning sometime soon because there is so much more to enjoy. Overall one of the best sushi places I've ever been to and it deserves the five stars!
(5)Kat L.
Moving to Hoffman Estates has made me a regular here during lunch time. I love that they have $1.25 plates during lunch hours on weekdays. Be warned, Fridays are the busiest and you might have to come early/wait in line outside until opening. They are also nit-picky at refilling the belt closer to the end of lunch hour, and will make you pay full-priced for a complete roll that would have otherwise been a $1 special if it's close to lunch-closing-time. Otherwise, the rolls are consistently decent. Not the freshest in all the land, but never bad. Easy to come here alone for a quick bite as well.
(4)Angel L.
The Sushi here was ok. The Udon noodles were great but for the selection not worth the price. If you've never had Sushi or want an Americanized version of Sushi this is the place to go. The conveyor belt is pretty cool but it does not make up for the lack of selections. Many different versions of a California roll. Real skimpy on the 1 or 2 dishes that come with Masago. I want to like this place but I just can't. Everything is just so Americanized. Its like going to a Taco joint and everything is smothered in American cheese and ketchup.
(2)Dale L.
I stopped by here for take out. The food was ready quickly, prices were reasonable and it was pretty good. I will be back to eat at the restaurant instead of just taking out.
(4)Julie R.
For what it is... this place is awesome. Once you're seated, you can have food in your mouth in 0.1 seconds... as fast as you can grab it off the conveyor belt flying past you! Some people complain that these people are rude.... force you out of your seat too fast.... are too efficient. I say, "yeah, get those people the heck outta those seats so I can feast my face." Sushi Station is 100% about business, bargain food, and quick turn around... I can't imagine anything more American... and goddammit, I'm an American! PS. The ice tea is delish.
(5)Azhar S.
Definitely a very good and affordable sushi place. A good place to get your favorite kinds of sushi without breaking the bank. The kaiten sushi approach is a very good idea especially for those people who do not want to wait for their sushi. Traditional sushi places are also very good, but sometimes it can take forever to get your rolls. This place does not have the top sushi place, but it doesn't taste bad at all for the price you pay for. I particularly love the spicy mayo with all the types of sushi. All the prices of the sushi are on color coated plates which definitely helps you gauge your costs for the dinner and there are no surprises are on your bill. The staff are always very helpful when it comes to knowing your selections and are always close by when you need them. I have been coming here for years and it never dissapoints. I have never really tried the desserts other than the chocolate covered marshmallows and the strawberries and creme which are pretty good. Other than that there is nothing else wrong with this place. The place is always clean as well.
(5)Shirley F.
Found this place around the mistuwa and Woodfield area and it's one of the restaurant around Chicago that has the freshest fish. By fresh I mean you can actually taste the natural sweetness of the fish. Uni always taste good and the fun part about it is the sushi is on a conveyer belt so you get to pick what you like by looking at what's coming by you. Prices are by the color of the plates because every plate has different prices. Some people may think it's pricey but I think it's really worth your money considering the quality of the fish. There are other things you can order besides sushi and so many appetizers to pick from. This is a must go if you're around the Schaumburg area. Always a good experience here.
(5)Megan S.
This is great for a quick sushi fix but not the best quality. I do like that you can try a lot of different rolls for a reasonable amount of money. It's always packed and they try to push you out so the next customers can get in. Not a good place for a date.
(2)He K.
Not the prettiest sushi place on earth, but the sushi itself is very good. We like it alot and keep coming back :)
(4)Alex R.
Absolutely love this place, my wife and I come here just about every other week. It's conveyor belt style and the fish is fresh. Plates are color coded so you know exactly how much everything costs. Servers are attentive. Highly recommend this place for casual sushi dining!
(5)George P.
The sushi at the Station is fresh, clean and delicious. Sushi comes down a conveyor belt and you select what appeals to you the most. Best sushi I have ever eaten! Go Sushi Station and please expand a bit.
(5)Andrew G.
Mediocre sushi that doesn't even come remotely close to making up for the obtusely ridiculous seating and billon policies currently being enforced by this undersized, overbearing establishment. After multiple visits, hoping the situation would improve, it appears that Sushi Station is contented with simply adequate service, subpar cuisine and management that leaves significantly more than just a bit to be desired. There's plenty of great places for sushi in the area, this is not one of them.
(2)Matt D.
Got take out. California rolls and spicy tuna rolls were amazing. Reasonable price too.
(5)Joan K.
Wouldn't recommend this place to big parties because the place is a bit small & the seats aren't really set up for big parties. Other than that I love the concept of having the sushi set up in a conveyor belt type of thing & you get to pick out what you want to try out. Each plate typically comes in 2-4 pieces which is great because it allows you to be able to try different type of makis. Service was amazing despite it being busy when we got there. Originally came here just for the experience of the sushi being presented like that but was surprised by how amazing the sushi actually was! I think the pricing of it is fair. Spent probably about $35 (tip included) for two which isn't too bad since we both left the place being super full & satisfied. Overall I definitely recommend trying this place out!
(5)Edward M.
This place used to be more appealing to me, not sure why it's less persay. Maybe the variety has come down a bit, or cuz I have gotten to experience more high end sushi. It's not bad by any means, except a roll I'll talk about later, but it's not great either. Service: It's decent, they check back time to time, though I think it's more cuz they want you to leave so they can make room for other guests, but they are never rude about it and very easy going if you are taking your time, they just check back a lot asking if you want something else hint hint. They were also very nice and split the check for us :) Food: The food is pretty decent, the costs are based on the color plate, and though it seems cheap, it adds up quickly. I spent about 20 dollars trying about 5 dishes. So not horrible, it breaks down to about a dollar a piece ish. Grab a menu when you go in, it shows you all the stuff, not just the stuff on the belt. You can ask for anything on the menu. I ordered a station shrimp, I expected it to be like golden shrimp of kampai. well it's not.... It's pretty good but a totally different flavor profile. The Cajun roll, I had to try it... was um, super smokey and just not good tasting, cajun and sushi do not go together... The Phoenix roll (spicy tuna, tempura, and masago) is good and so is the Shrimp Tempura roll (shrimp tempura, cucumber, masago, tempura, with unagi sauce). I also enjoyed the Hanako roll (cream cheese, tempura, imitation crab, and green onions with mayo and teriyaki.. ya i like my sushi fried and crunch to give it texture :) I wish they had soft shelled crab, that's like my uber favorite but what do you expect for this style of restaurant. It's all good :)
(3)Molly M.
Sushi station is not bad. The sushi isn't fresh because it's in a conveyor belt until someone takes it. But it's really cute. You walk in, the waiters and waitresses greet you and bring you to you seat right in front of the belt. Easy to reach and easy access. Prices are reasonable. It can go anywhere from $1.25 to $6.25 per plate. You get 2-4 pieces per plate and pay by plate which makes checking out very easy. They don't take away your plates from your table because when you're done, they add everything up so that makes the table kind of crowded when you're squished in between two people. Overall, i give this place three stars. Not the best, but not the worst either. But i do recommend this place. It's cute and great for once in a while.
(3)Denise H.
This is very fun place for sushi. The fish is really good. Just be prepared to wait for a table when it is really busy,
(4)Yomaira N.
Sushi station is the only place I go to eat Sushi. My favorite roll is the spicy tuna roll. I also get the fried calamari. The wait on the weekends is lengthy but the food is worth it.
(5)Amanda Z.
I may never return to this place because of my terrible experience with their customer service. My table of 3 was completely neglected. Orders are placed by checking off items on a menu then handing it off to the waitress. Sounds simple enough, eh? The first round of orders came quickly and was quickly devoured. To my pleasant surprise, the presentation was very visually appealing and everything tasted soso.My only complaint was the slight warm temperature of the nigiri.
(2)Kylee L.
Great place for some quick sushi. My husband and I order their take out often. Everything tastes fresh and never has a fishy smell. I haven't had much luck with the side dishes- the edamame was cold. My biggest negative is that they don't have more tempura sushi! Nothing better than some tempura battered sushi. Mmm. I would definitely recommend this to someone looking for quick fresh sushi in the suburbs. Great price too- about $10 to $15 per person to eat!!!
(4)Lia T.
I really love this place it is awesome if your starving and you want to literally eat the second you sit down... I frequent this place regularily around the same time of day and I decided to go around a different time... I showed up here at 3oclock only to find out they were closed! Sushi station has two operating hours during the day... I wish Google corrected the hours of operation for this place. My sushi craving has not been fulfilled :(
(4)John H.
Atmosphere is great.. However the sushi is sub-par. Nothing but low quality sushi dressed up with mayonnaise, teriyaki, and unagi-sauce.
(1)Louis R.
I've been to dirty jerz conveyor belt sushi spots before...this spot in the midwest is inexplicably better. Well... They have the belt covered with a plastic tube which has individual doors. So much more sanitary than the open belts in jerz. Jellyfish rolls. Sardine sushi. Fried shrimp which you can eat whole. But Mexicans making the sushi? Ugh 70% white patrons? Ugh Overall, it is dope.
(5)Mike O.
Great "Conveyor belt sushi" place you can start eating as soon as you sit down. They have a menu at the table so if you don't like what's going around every few minutes, they'll make something fresh for you. They do have hot, non-sushi entrees (like chicken teryaki) for those in your group that don't like raw fish. They have very Japanese desserts too, including a red bean paste dish and green tea ice cream. You'll have to wait during busy times, as it's not super huge place. They are one of my regular, go-to sushi places in the area and I'm never disapointed.
(4)Amy B.
I love Sushi Station! First of all, this place isn't for sushi purists. The main reason I like it is because they have such a variety of rolls with ingredients that probably won't come in any maki in Japan. But that's what makes it fun. Getting to try a variety of rolls is the best part of this restaurant. Depending on what roll you get, you might not get a lot of fish. One of my favorite rolls is the Paradise Roll, which is tempura flakes, coconut flakes, avocado and shrimp tempura. The roll is giant, and the piece of shrimp is minuscule. As someone who isn't a fan of just munching on plain raw fish, I'm actually ok with that. Lunch is by far the best time to go since a few of the plates are on special for $1.25. This includes the Godzilla Roll, another of my favorites, which is actually fried in tempura and warm. Delicious? Yes. Healthy? Doubtful. There's almost always a line unless you get there right when it opens (I wish the place was bigger!). You're kind of ushered in an out quickly since people are always waiting for your seat. But overall, a great place!
(4)Yvonne O.
I love Sushi Station. I usually try and convince the husband to come with me, but he is so picky that the conveyor belt causes issues for him and he will whine until I relent and go elsewhere. So, I finally won out on Sunday after indulging his burger fetish on Saturday. We got here about 12:40 and were seated right away at the counter. I saw some new items - honey salmon (tempura battered and fried) a vegiie tempura nigiri, and some spicy things. I went with the usual peach roll, station crab, steamed gyoza and the shrimp that is fried in the crispy noodles and served with a spicy oil sauce. The husband was able to find some avocado roll, egg nigiri, and other things to eat so that we didn't have to stop at Steak and Shake afterwards! I think we had about 10 plates by the end and with two sodas it was about $35. I wish they would bring one further east so I could go more often.
(5)John V.
You guys used to be so good before you cheapened all of your ingredients and raised your prices! I would gladly pay more for higher quality sushi.
(3)Ashley C.
Sushi station is my all time favorite sushi place. It may not be the best quality but we love it. Its like fast food sushi but not like that nasty stuff they have in grocery stores. My favorite part is that I can get a little bit of everything without having tons of leftover. The plates usually have 2-4 pieces. The prices are great too. I spend 12-15 on myself when I go there and I am to the point of food coma! I go more to the Rolling Meadows location but if I have the time I like to go to the Elgin one. Its larger and they don't rush you out of there
(5)Peter B.
One of the better sushi places around in the north suburbs. Since, most of the food comes out in the conveyor belt, service is fast....you pick what you want and start eating! They have some other food that can be ordered in the menu also. Quality is generally good for most of the maki's and rolls. Price is reasonable.
(4)Michael L.
Ahh, kaiten zushi...how I love you. A group of us went around 7pm and it was packed on a Sunday night. Pros: It's kaiten zushi, what's not to love? Pretty good sushi. Not the best I've ever had, but nowhere near the worst. Closer to the better end. They had all the nigiri and maki rolls that you'd expect. I thought some of the rolls with Japanese mayo were awesome, reminded me of some of the kaiten zushi places in Japan. They even had natto maki rolls, which probably means a good deal of Japanese people eat there (otherwise I don't think enough people would buy it to warrant the place serving it). if you didn't know, Japanese mayo is sooo good and natto is...an acquired taste. Nice full menu, nice staff. I felt it was very reasonably priced. Cons: I was kinda bummed that they didn't have a second track for special orders. It's always fun getting something you ordered on the menu on a little train or special plate. Oh well, I'll live. ---- Conveyor belt sushi is common in Japan but still a novelty here in the states. This place really made me nostalgic about my time there, it's pretty similar to those kaiten zushi places. I don't think it is ever meant to be as good as a traditional sit down place, but rather a quicker and cheaper version. Even so, I thought this place was pretty good. It was on the smaller side, but I guess you should just plan for it or accept a wait. I usually drive through the Chicago area twice a year and after I go to Mitsuwa, I'll be eating here.
(4)MaryBeth M.
Do not go here staff is extremely rude. My husband and I walked in and wanted to sit and start eating and our friends were parking their car. They would not seat us until they were physically in the building so they gave the last table for four away to someone else. When we asked to speak to a manager they say she is eating lunch and can't be bothered.
(1)Mike J.
Sushi Station is a great, fun restaurant for the whole family. The conveyor-belt is the part that makes it fun. Every time we walk in it is packed, from 3 year olds, to 75 year olds. The food there is great. The service is nice, and all of their sushi is fresh and real. As an Asian, this is not a very fancy, high class environment for a sushi restaurant, but the food is just as fresh as a restaurant in Tokyo. The fruit for dessert is nice and fresh. I always like to get the Strawberries and condensed milk. Their silverware, plates, and cups are always clean.
(4)Marni R.
Zomigosh- if I could eat the Hanako and Phoenix rolls every second of every day, I would literally eat until my stomach exploded and my gastrointestinal juices leaked out and liquefied all of my insides. They are THAT good... when they're fresh and crunchy. Aw heck, even when they've been sitting a while on the conveyer belt and have gotten a touch soggy, the're still the best pieces of raw fish I've ever had in my mouth (but then again, I'm a straight female so...) If you want to get a seat quickly, go during an off time or get there as soon as they open the doors. It's so hoppin' like all the time but totally worth the wait when there is one. The Ikura can taste a bit fishy but that would be my only complaint. Oh, and if you're of a larger stature (I'm not picking on you- the love of my life is around 250 lbs), request a table because the single seats around the bar can get kind of cramped. Five stars for you, Glen Coco.
(5)Laura S.
Best sushi ever. They have easy to eat rolls for those less adventurous, but also Very wacky and fun new flavor and texture combos. a GREAT place to stop for lunch or dinner with friends or on a date. about every other month I drive out here from indiana and got here and also Mitsuwa
(5)Allen B.
Kaiten sushi. Conveyor belt sushi. Communal box sushi. However you describe this place it still is nonetheless decent sushi. Albeit, not the highest of quality, this place gives you your monies worth. The rolls are larger and plentiful. The Spicy Garden Crunch is one of my favorites (funny, since this is a vegetable roll with zero meat and I love me some meats). Be mindful of how long the sushi has been sitting on the belt as it goes round and round. But then again, it's usually the sushi that no one really likes that loops around the belt several times. Once a plate has been picked up, it's immediately replaced, but sometimes the supply is hard to keep up with the demand. But be patient folks, no sense in getting all ancy and mad when there are 20 people sitting next to you grabbing for the same plate of sushi. All in all, good place to go. Prices are good, quantity is good, quality is (at times) sub-par, but decently good, BUT the service can be a little sheisty.
(3)Jessica A.
Went on Sunday late afternoon before a dinner rush, on a lunch break from work. I was going to order to go, but opted to stay and eat there. Servers were great with asking if i needed anything, food was fast, sushi was awesome! I love that I can get smaller sized plates with 1/2 the amount of rolls as the full price so i can try different rolls. I got the paradise roll ( one of my favorites) with toasted coconut, avocado, and shrimp tempura( 3.25 for 2 big rolls). I also got salmon rolls ( 2.25 for 6 pieces), california rolls ( 2.25 for 4), alaskan rolls ( another one of my favorites- 2.25 for 4) and salmon nigiri ( 3.25 for 2). I love the rotating sushi bar, lunch specials are great during the week. One of my favorite sushi places to go to in the area and I have yet to ever be disappointed with the service or food there. Yum yum!!
(5)Brad S.
I wish all of life was like this. I sit at a table with the family and the food passes by for inspection. The fish seems fresh and the set up is fun. A word of warning: the seating is limited and you may have to wait for a table and due to the nature of the eating style how long a table sits is more unpredictable. I always spend about $85 elsewhere for Sushi and here I spend about half and always leave over stuffed.
(4)Ron S.
All of the Yelp reviews are pretty much on the mark. Decent sushi but I've had better. The variety is good and it's a great opportunity to sample different rolls without making the big commitment. The prices are fair, especially if you focus on the $1.25 lunch specials but as noted you could drop a pretty penny for lunch. We spent $30 but were pretty stuffed when we walked out. Read Cristie B's review below which includes great tips.
(3)Celia N.
I come here at least once a month for sushi! They have the right thing going on -- pick what you want, get 2 to 4 sushi of that kind, and move on the the next kind! It is such a great system and the taste of the sushi is really great! My favorite it the Hanako sushi, highly recommend!
(5)Keith F.
I guess one could consider my wife and I to be Sushi Station "regulars" since we frequent both locations. This location is the busier of the two (especially around dinner time), and our preferred location even though it's a longer drive. Why is this our preferred location? The speedy service. Rarely do I have to look around to see where our server is to get a drink refill, or order something that hasn't shown up on the belt. Easy three star rating... affordable sushi in a relaxed environment, and the quality isn't that bad also.
(3)Chris N.
We're from out of town and the two times we have been in the Chicago area we've stopped here. This place is quite simply awesome! I don't know why other places have not thrived from the conveyor belt sushi formula but it's the best thing since sliced bread... err, I mean sliced tuna. We found the food very fresh and the rice for the sushi tasty and well made. The selection was pretty good on the conveyor but you can custom order too. If you're going solo or in a party of two, you'll sit on bar stools facing the conveyor and the wait times seem to be a little less. If you have 3 or more (I wouldn't recommend anything past 5 people) you'll get a table instead. Both are good but bar stools are faster. If you're visiting Chicago, passing thru or live around here, you owe it to yourself to visit Sushi Station.
(5)Dayna S.
Love this place. Love the concept of picking out whatever plate comes around on the conveyor belt. However it is so easy to over indulge, so fast before you eat here unless you have great self control. I guess the only thing I don't care for is having to sit next to strangers but whatever, still worth the experience! Their fried jumbo shrimp is great! And it's been a while since I've been here but all the sushi I tried was yummy. Inexpensive too!
(4)Mia B.
If your looking for something quick and casual then this is a good place. Plates are colored and they go with a price list, so it makes it easy to know how much your spending. I didn't give 5 stars because most of the items I wanted were always out of stock and I had to wait a whole cycle for it to come around again, just for it to still be empty. If there is something you really want to have, just order it off the menu instead. The spider roll and Godzilla roll are highly recommended!
(4)Jen P.
I have been here twice in the past month because I am slightly obsessed. I love this place because there is a variety of sushi to choose from, whenever you want, instead of other restaurants where you only usually order one plate. My favorite sushi here is the hanako rolls!! Also it is not that expensive either, with me and my boyfriend it's usually around $28-30 with all of the plates combined.
(5)Yanyao N.
I love kaiten sushi. When I worked in Hong Kong and Beijing, I would go for lunch multiple times a week and pretty much spend all my paychecks stuffing my face. Unfortunately, conveyor belt sushi is hard to find in Chicago. I stumbled across sushi floating around of boats (I love this too!), and only recently tried out Sushi Station. The set-up is very similar to my beloved Genki Sushi back home (minus the angry sushi face and self-serve green tea & hot water station at your seat). Everyone gets packed in alongside a conveyor belt and you watch the little plates go by and simply remove whatever plate you want to eat. Stack those babies up, and at the end of your meal, the server comes and calculates your bill based on how many of each colored plate you ate. The variety of sushi available is definitely one of Sushi Station's big selling points. I saw jellyfish & shark's fin sushi, some sort of salmon nigiri topped with guacamole, amberjack, fatty salmon, some odd mix of sweet shrimp, corn and mayonnaise... there are many interesting options here. Plus, if you want something that you don't see, you can order off the menu. This place is busy, but the servers are easy to find, helpful, and friendly. My main gripe is the sushi rice. I'm not sure if it is always like this, but when I went this weekend, the rice was quite firm. It made the experience a lot less enjoyable for me. Firm sushi rice is pretty much a deal-breaker, and if I was served this in a non-conveyor belt sushi setting, I would send it back (BUT the setting and experience is fun, and the prices are cheap). I understand that I'm not going to eat Jiro-san quality sushi here, but they really need to work on the rice. If you haven't tried kaiten sushi, come visit Sushi Station. Your post-conveyor belt sushi experience life will never be the same!
(3)Juveriya M.
Sushi Station is awesome! When you go to a normal sushi restaurant, you have to order one dish that cost $13 but you get 10 rolls of the same thing. That gets boring fast. However, at Sushi Station, because of the conveyor belt, you get to try all kinds of different rolls quickly and efficiently. If you want something off the menu, they also serve that super fast. They really want you in and out of the restaurant because of the limited seating. And that's ok, this is not the place to have romantic or dramatic conversation, it's a place for good and satisfying sushi. That's it. Disclaimer: we are not doing them a favor by eating at their restaurant. They are doing us a favor. Let me explain, here are their rules: 1. Don't sit and talk and not eat. 2. Don't order honey with your green tea, they'll laugh at you. 3. Don't bring any outside food, not even snacks for your baby. 4. Don't even think about asking for something special on your birthday, they won't care. 5. Don't show up to the restaurant from 2 pm to 5 pm, it's closed. Other than that, this is my favorite sushi spot, it all depends on if you can handle the drama.
(5)Mark S.
Love this place for a tasty, quick lunch or dinner. I love the San Diego roll. I like that I can try different things instead of eating a whole roll of the same thing. Their crab salad is a little too fishy for me, so I stay away from that.
(4)Rich S.
I will not be returning to this place. The food is just ok, I've had better elsewhere. They were convenient on the way home from work though. The service has been on a steady decline and today was the straw that broke the camel's back. I called to place an order for pick up. I showed up at the 15 minute mark, as requested by the order taker who told me no less than three times that it was going to be in Rolling Meadows (duh, I called Rolling Meadows, lady). Anyway, I walked in and the girl greeted me with their standard greeting which I could never understand what they were saying. I told her three times I was there to pick up, all the while she's looking over my shoulder at the people behind me trying to get a headcount. I finally raised my voice and said "I'm here to pick up". I gave her my name, she gave me my ticket to look over and told me where to stand to pay. I went there, got my money ready and the cashier looked around me and took the next person in line. The greeter girl came back and asked if everything was ok, I said I was just trying to pay. The other lady behind the counter flashed me a finger to wait a minute and it wasn't very friendly and she didn't appear to be doing anything. I was so fed up I tossed the ticket on the counter and told them to cancel and I wouldn't be back. They called me on the way home and told me that if I didn't come get my order they wouldn't be able to take my orders over the phone anymore. I told them that's not a problem because I won't be returning. I've had issues in the past where there told me the order was going to be ready in 15 minutes, so I'd show up after 15 minutes and I've waited an additional 30+ for my order. Their Elgin location isn't much better, I've had to leave my seat to find someone who would bring us our check. At this point the only thing they have going for them is that they're cheap and that's what will draw the crowds they get. As for me, I'll let my sushi snob come out and go someplace better and pay a little more for better quality and better service.
(1)Melissa K.
Delicious sushi! Me and my husband are a bit of Tuskasa snobs but wanted to try a new place and liked the idea of the conveyor belt. I loved that you can order smaller portions of rolls so we were able to try several different rolls I loved the caterpillar roll! I don't think it's the best sushi place I've been to but it was very delicious and I would def come back again! If your thinking of getting dessert I would opt for the red bean ice cream vs green tea we had both and loved the red bean thanks sushi station for a delicious experience!
(4)Vlad K.
If you are a real sushi connoisseur, you will love this place. They have the finest ikura, negitoro, and hamachi. The prices are much lower than other restaurants and you can sample a very wide variety. I come here weekly and recommend you stop by next time you're in the mood for sushi.
(5)Mike W.
The service is terrible with inconsistent rules. Previously we went there as a group of 4 and we were asked to sit at the bar because all tables were fully occupied. Today we went there (again 4 of us) and we were asked to wait because all tables were fully occupied. Since there were more than 4 open seats available at the bar, we requested to sit at the bar. However we were turned down, we were told the bar is only available for group of 3 or less. Since we were a group of 4, we have to wait until the tables were cleared. What kind of rules are these? We were in a little rush today and asked again if we can sit at the bar (consider us as 2 groups of 2 instead of a group of 4, again we were turned down). So we had no choice but to leave.
(1)Nicole S.
Sushi Station in Rolling Meadows is by far one of my favorite places for sushi. The tuna is top notch and melt-in-your-mouth good. It's really fun to go with friends, the conveyor belt makes it a fun game of grabbing your stuff before it passes by, and the whole restaurant has a cute clean feel to it. If you want to eat conveyor belt sushi like in all the Japanese shows you see, this is the place to do it. Reasonably priced on just about everything, and I can easily stuff myself on $10 here. It's great variety and consistently good. If anything doesn't seem 'fresh' in the belt or doesn't seem to be coming around you can always ask the waitress for a fresh plate of anything. This is helpful during busy (can't find what you want) and slow (if something has been sitting on the line for a little bit) times. Cheap, entertaining, quick, and good service. Plus the green tea ice cream is absolute perfection in a bowl! If you want to have a fun sit down time with friends this is definitely a good choice, and I've stopped here many times for a quick meal during work shifts (never took me longer than 15~20 minutes to go in, eat to my heart's content, and get out during those breaks!) The store does close in the mid-afternoon, but that's pretty standard for Japanese-run business. I'm not sure why this is the case, but it was like that when I worked at a sushi bar before, and just about every other Japanese joint I've been to.
(5)Dan S.
I love this place!! We eat here as much as possible. They have tons of great sushi and really good prices. TRY THE GODZILLA ROLLS, they are amazing. If you have never had convener belt sushi, you have to check this place out. Just be aware, this is an different style of eating. Chances are, you will be elbow to elbow with a stranger. But it makes it kind of fun. Also, this place does get busy around lunch time and the close for a little while between lunch and dinner, so if you are looking for a late lunch, check their hours.
(5)Dave A.
I've eaten here many times because friends like it but I've tasted way better sushi. Today I felt like counting the plates since each plate is colored and is a certain price. I added everything up and so I knew how much it was going to be with the Schaumburg tax but soon to find out the lady added two more plates on top if what I had so they tried to be sneaky. Not sure why, maybe some other people didn't tip well but I was told to tip well if service was good and it wasn't bad until they tried to rip me off. In other words moral of the story is COUNT AND ADD EVERYTHING YOURSELF! Don't let them rip you off
(1)Jennifer P.
I made a return trip to Sushi Station a few weeks ago after a multiple-year hiatus. Quite honestly I thought it was a god-awful place with ridiculously sub-par sushi. I chided friends and acquaintances for going there. So why did I return? A friend of mine saw a review on Check Please (of all places damnit) and thought it would be excellent since "The guy who suggested it had been to Japan and said they had the conveyors there too." My first thought was that the guy probably needs a good ass whoppin' for that comment alone. I talked her out of going to Sushi Station for months and brought her elsewhere. BUT, she also has a 14 year old son and we thought he'd enjoy the conveyor, so I ended up conceding. I must say, it seems to have improved a lot since my last visit. Portion sizes (albeit not high-quality) are larger, and they offer more varieties of lower-cost plates. (The first time I went I don't think there was one white or pink plate.) There were also rolls/creations to choose from. While I'm more of a purist, it was interesting to try the varieties. This time I splurged on some green and yellow plates. One had some HUGE pieces of (supposedly) fatty tuna, and another had some HUGE pieces of yellowtail. The tuna tasted off, and the yellowtail was flavorless. It was akin to expecting a decent craft beer and getting a Busch Light instead. Now, I'll drink Busch Light, but not for $4.25. I love me some pickled ginger, but I won't eat it here, as it's in a communal box-type thing on the table. I like my ginger to come just for ME and from the kitchen, please. I don't feel comfortable with the notion that someone's been pokin' their who-knows-what in the ginger. The server was good, but got a little pushy when we had been there a bit long. She told us the cash register was closing in 10 minutes and we'd better pay now. In reality, I think her shift was ending or it was her lunch break or something. Ehh, we stayed, still made sure she got tipped, and all was well as far as I know. The kid had fun. By the end of our long lunch he was trying to count how long it took for the belt to go on one rotation. My bill was $25 and I was STUFFED. All in all a better experience than I had anticipated. Would I go back? Sure, and not kicking and screaming this time.
(3)