Friends Sushi & Bento Place
1808 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO, 64111
Friends Sushi & Bento Place Menu
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Diabetics at TGI Friday
If you're a diabetic, then you must be extra careful while dining at TGI Friday. Try the salad menu at TGI Friday to keep your sugar and sodium intake in check. Soups are great to keep you full and satisfied without munching on the unhealthy greased meat-based dishes on TGI Friday menu.
Foods to Avoid at TGI Friday for Diabetics:
Sugar and sodium intake are crucial if you have diabetes. While the salads are the best option for you at TGI Friday, it is recommended to avoid the Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad containing over 1000 calories and 1,650mg sodium. Also, skip Warm Pretzels with Craft Beer-Cheese dipping sauce as it contains more than 3000mg sodium. It is wise to skip the dessert for diabetics, especially the Brownie Obsession topped with Vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and pecans.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at TGI Friday
Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce
Nutritional Facts: 560 calories, 33g (Tans. Fat 1g & Sat. Fat 16g), 790mg sodium, 37g carbs, 2g sugar, 6g fiber, 27g Protein
Chicken Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (Lunch portion) with Caesar Dressing
Nutritional Facts: 310 calories, 28g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 800mg sodium, 38g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 11g Protein
Kids Meal Chicken Sandwich
Nutritional Facts: 310 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 700mg sodium, 26g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 22g Protein
Kid's Side - Seasoned Fries
Nutritional Facts: 320 calories, 16g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 810mg sodium, 40g carbs, 0g sugar, 5g fiber, 5g Protein
Kid's Side - Fresh Fruit
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 12g carbs, 10g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Tea - English Breakfast
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Tea - Mint Green
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Kansas City for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at TGI Friday
Most foods served at TGI Friday are high in sodium and could be a health risk if you are concerned with your blood pressure levels. You can always opt for salads or soups. However, you must check the sodium levels in burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and desserts before ordering.
Foods to Avoid at TGI Friday for High Blood Pressure
While the salads are healthy at TGI Friday, you must skip the Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad. You should also avoid Jack Daniel's Ribs and Shrimp at TGI Fridays for its high sodium content. Appetizers are the best to ensure that you don't eat too much while dining outside. However, you must skip Warm Pretzels with Craft Beer-Cheese Dipping sauce as one serving of this contains over 3000mg sodium.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at TGI Friday
Caesar Salad with Breadstick with Caesar Dressing
Nutritional Facts: 440 calories, 31g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 7g), 720mg sodium, 33g carbs, 4g sugar, 3g fiber, 9g Protein
House Salad with Breadstick
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 330mg sodium, 29g carbs, 5g sugar, 3g fiber, 8g Protein
Kid's Dessert - Vanilla Ice Cream
Nutritional Facts: 460 calories, 26g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 17g), 170mg sodium, 39g carbs, 5g sugar, 0g fiber, 6g Protein
Kids Meal Pasta & Marinara
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 150mg sodium, 46g carbs, 7g sugar, 4g fiber, 9g Protein
Kid's Side - Carrots w/ Ranch 150
Nutritional Facts: 150 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 340mg sodium, 7g carbs, 3g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Coffee - Black/Decaf
Nutritional Facts: 5 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Espresso
Nutritional Facts: 5 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at TGI Friday
Fat and calorie count are normally high at American diners and TGI Friday is no exception in that case. Too greasy and fried items will not only boost your calorie intake but also increase your bad cholesterol levels. You should make smart choices while dining at TGI Friday if you have cholesterol issues.
Foods to Avoid at TGI Friday for High Cholesterol
TGI Fridays are also famous for their ribs and steak. However, it is in the best interest of those concerned with high cholesterol to stay away from Jack Daniel's Ribs and Shrimp. Desserts are a big NO for you if you are worried about your high cholesterol levels. It is recommended to skip all kinds of desserts, especially the Brownie Obsession. You should also skip the meat burgers and sandwiches at TGI Fridays as these items are high in saturated fat which can elevate your LDL levels.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at TGI Friday
Traditional Wings BBQ
Nutritional Facts: 500 calories, 24g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 7g), 790mg sodium, 29g carbs, 24g sugar, 1g fiber, 44g Protein
Grilled Chicken Pecan & Blue Cheese Salad (Lunch portion)
Nutritional Facts: 480 calories, 21g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 870mg sodium, 30g carbs, 8g sugar, 10g fiber, 66g Protein
Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard ((Hand-Breaded)
Nutritional Facts: 440 calories, 33g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 700mg sodium, 26g carbs, 8g sugar, 1g fiber, 11g Protein
Kid's Side - Side Salad
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 90mg sodium, 5g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 2g Protein
Kid's Side - Mandarin Oranges
Nutritional Facts: 60 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 14g carbs, 14g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® - Tea - Apricot
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A on TGI Friday
Can Vegans eat on TGI Friday?
TGI Friday has launched Vegan food options The Beyond Meat Cheeseburger, fries and salads which can be enjoyed by vegan lovers. Though we would advise you to get confirmation from the server at the TGI Friday outlet before ordering the food item.
Does TGI Fridays have vegetarian food?
TGI Friday have options of burgers made from plant-based ingredients which are grilled and seasoned with cheddar cheese, red onions, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce. One can also go for fries, salads or juices.
Does TGI Friday have happy hours?
The happy hour on TGI Friday happens every Friday. Chief marketing officer of TGI Friday says that “people now don't operate on a 9 to 5 schedule”. Thus the company is giving out one whole day when customers can enjoy their favourite meal at pocket-friendly rates.
Is TGI Friday closed on holidays?
TGI Friday is opened on most of the holidays except Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
What are TGI Friday Opening and Closing Time?
The American restaurant chain is established on some of the largest cities like Miami, Las Vegas, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston etc. TGI Friday regular restaurant hours from Monday to Sunday is 11:00 AM – 01:00 AM.
How do I find the nearest TGI Friday Restaurant?
There are over 800 TGI Friday restaurants in the United States. The best way to search the nearest TGI Friday location is by using our Restaurant Listings Directory.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About TGI Friday
TGI Friday is a casual dining American restaurant chain founded in 1965. The term “TGI” is an acronym for Thank God It's and together the name of the restaurant is often announced as Thank God It's Friday. Over the years of its existence, the TV commercials and other advertisement streams have also twisted the phrase a bit and used it as Thank Goodness It's Friday. The restaurant serves alcoholic beverages primarily. However, they are also known for their low-carbohydrate and low-fat menu items to promote a healthy lifestyle. TGI Friday also offers gluten-free items on its menu for those with gluten intolerance.
Besides the cool name, TGI Friday also has an interesting background story of its origin. The founder of the restaurant Alan Stillman lived in a New York-based neighbourhood full of a young crowd, especially girls from the airline and fashion industry. He started the first TGI Friday restaurant in New York in the hope of meeting single women as there weren't any such public place for young men and women to meet. He invested $5000 on his own and borrowed another $5000 from his mother to buy a bar named The Good Tavern and renamed the premise to Thank God It's Friday, inspired from an expression during his time at Bucknell University.
Healthy Food Options at TGI Friday
TGI Friday is a casual dining American restaurant chain serving burgers, sandwiches, steaks & ribs, salads, soups, and desserts. You got to be somewhat cautious while dining at TGI Friday if you are health conscious. You can always opt for light items such as salads or soups to start with. You can also prefer seafood over chicken or other meat to ensure a healthy meal at TGI Friday.
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Address :
1808 W 39th St
Kansas City, MO, 64111 - Phone (816) 753-6666
- Website https://friendssushikc.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
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
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Laura F.
We had visitors in town who were in the mood for sushi. I haven't really been "wowed" by any place in KC yet, so we decided to try someplace new. I'm so glad we tried Friends because I was really impressed! The boyfriend and myself ordered 4 different rolls to split -- and all were delicious. We had standard tuna and salmon rolls, a spider roll, and another special roll (that I do not remember the name). The fish quality and freshness was definitely the best I've had in KC so far. I don't feel like you could go wrong with any sushi on the menu. Our friends are as picky as we are with our sushi, and they seemed to enjoy their meals also. The service was very good as well. I noticed every staff member greeted us when we arrived and bid us farewell when we left. Our waitress was very nice and had perfect timing on everything. I never felt like I was waiting during our entire visit. I look forward to returning to Friends! Highly recommended.
(4)Lion R.
I ordered delivery from them on a Saturday and my experience was a bit nicer than when I went to eat at the restaurant. The delivery came pretty fast. I had ordered some salmon nigiri, a spicy tuna roll, and a lobster roll. The price racked up pretty fast, which is to be expected from sushi, I suppose. The presentation was great. Sushi looked very appealing and well made this time. The spicy tuna roll was probably the best in the box though. The salmon nigiri once again just didn't taste like high quality salmon. It tasted a bit fishy, and if you are as much of a salmon sushi fiend as I am you know that good salmon tastes buttery, sweet, and smooth, not fishy. The lobster roll also was not as good as I remembered it from my first visit. Not sure how exactly. Just wasn't as good as I remember. There are many other sushi venues I prefer in the KC area, despite Friends is the closest to me, but I suppose they aren't bad in a pinch. Prior to the day I ordered sushi from them, I had been sick several days and hardly eating, so when I felt better I wanted to treat myself to something delicious and healthy, hence the sushi delivery. It hit the spot. It was the right situation to order from friends since I wasn't feeling well enough yet to go out for food. Otherwise I'd have hit up one of my usual sushi haunts instead.
(3)Katie W.
I used to love Friends. My last several visits have made me feel less secure about eating here, and possibly just for my own strange reasons...which I'll list in no specific order. This place is small. That's ok. Size isn't everything. Oddly overstaffed, but prompt service, so this isn't a complaint...just an observation. Everyone's extremely friendly. There's usually a wait, especially on 1/2 price Mondays. 1/2 price Mondays feels like a trick. The options for 1/2 price are the less exciting options off the menu. We typically order 2 things from the list and move to the normal menu. The sushi is pretty good. I wouldn't say no if someone asked me to go, but it wouldn't be my first pick. I'm bothered by all the clutter behind the sushi bar. It's obvious the place is small and they use the space as best they can, but it takes away from my dinning experience. The blue curtain is at least an attempt to refocus your attention. The decor is strange. It's like random, sorta cheap stuff just hung on the wall. The owner is usually present and I appreciate this. She checks in with tables to make sure they're happy with their experience. The hours are something to double check beforehand. They're closed a few hours in the afternoon before reopening for dinner.
(3)Kieu N.
Tuesday 11:30am. Craving sushi. College student budget. Friend's it is! They have a bento lunch deal from 11am to 1pm for $9.95. It was a very fulfilling lunch - miso soup, salad with sesame ginger dressing, spring roll and a cheese cracker, 2 pieces of sushi and a maki roll. I chose salmon pieces and the crunchy spicy salmon roll. Everything tasted pretty standard. It was good but not like "oh-my-goooodness I gotta keep eating this". I came at a good time, too. They started getting busier when I was near the end of my meal. Overall, I had a decent experience.
(3)Jessica C.
I ate here for the first time a few weeks ago on a Monday for ramen. Since I work at a local Japanese restaurant that also serves ramen but is closed on Mondays I wanted to try some elsewhere. I came with a friend and another friend was meeting us later. We ordered some sushi and bento with ramen. The bento and sushi were all good - not the best, but the ramen was very flavorless and noodles were too soft. It was busy when we got there but we didn't have to wait for a table. By the time we got our food there were several people waiting for tables. We had almost finished but still had full drinks when my friend showed up to join us. The server informed us that they wouldn't let us stay because they had to seat other tables, and that if it was any other night of the week it would be ok but Mondays were the busiest. We agreed to leave after we paid but thought it was very strange and kind of rude. The owner or manager came up and asked us to leave again right after we paid. I quickly finished my drink and my friend didn't even get to order because they asked us to leave as soon as he arrived. I'm a server myself so I have to understand in a way. Restaurants will do things how they want and there is no changing it. The server was very friendly throughout. Very quick service and well staffed, even when busy. I know how it is when the boss has a rule that you have to enforce - it's always awkward. If I am ever in the area I may eat there again. But not on the top of my list for sushi, bento or ramen.
(3)Tiffany H.
I eat here way too much it's time to write a review. The location is convenient for me so lots of take-out and they are quick! For dine-in I've always had friendly, attentive service. With most menus some items are better than others, so here's what I recommend: Friends Roll - salmon is always fatty and buttery and the avocado fresh! Lobster Roll - love the creamy lobster mix and sweet mango on top. BMW Roll and Spider Roll - try it without eel sauce. Chef's Sashimi - random selection, they serve you what's fresh. Hamachi Kama - grilled yellowtail collar It's rare to find a Japanese restaurant that serves hamachi kama and does it well. Super tender white fish with a bit of fat. If you're not that into "fishy" fish you may not love this. If you've had it before, you know it's a winner. On the appetizer list but a generous portion. Add a bowl of rice and it's easily a meal. The bento is a good deal if you're hungry but comes with some fried items I could pass on. If you like sweet shrimp nigiri, this place serves it with the whole fried heads and they are delicious!
(4)Adam S.
Friends Sushi is a place that has been squeezed into a tiny, brick spot on 39th. It's not the perfect atmosphere, nor the coolest spot I've ever seen, but it does have some pretty good sushi. I've never made it to Friends because they're always so busy on Monday nights ($1 sushi night) and I end up going somewhere down the road. We went on a Friday night and it was understandably busy. It was a lonnnng wait for what it was, but I was hellbent on at least trying it out. We ordered a Spicy Tuna and a Kansas Roll (crab, avocado) and both were very good. Everything here is what you likely expect; average prices, above average food, and an average atmosphere. I would definitely recommend checking out this little spot, and while I will certainly go back, I won't be rushing to do so.
(3)Cristi G.
They have a great happy hour! Sushi was really good. Nothing fancy but really tasty. There was a wait out the door, so get there early!
(4)Abby D.
For the money and for the staff, this is the place to go for sushi in midtown KC. The Monday night and Saturday special features several rolls for $3.99 and individual pieces for $1 each. Go early because the place can fill up but it is worth it. My favorite deal is usually the teriyaki steak bento box. You get soup, salad, crab rangoon (called a cheese cracker here), fried spring roll, rice, entrée, cake, and orange slices (cake is dinner only). It is a lot of food for just under $10. The ramen is quite often over looked but very delicious, not what most people are used to when they hear ramen. The Shanghai noodles are also very recommended. The staff here helps each other out so that everyone is refilling waters and clearing the table. They know how to smile and be, well... As should be expected for the name, friendly. They know how to have fun and still take care of customers. Don't forget that this place also delivers! $20 minimum.
(5)Benjamin R.
Friends usually comes to mind like most other people in Kansas City - Saturday lunch special or Monday Sushi special, which has pretty great pricing but can be hard to find a table when eating in. After a long day Saturday and the casual mention of wasabi on a cooking show we were watching, I was convinced sushi was the way to go. One of the best things about Friends is . . . delivery! So we put in a healthy order of tempura sweet potato, asparagus, avocado, and a mix of veg philly/dragon/futomaki rolls, along with miso soup and veg spring rolls. Everything arrived faster than the 45min quote and was fresh and satisfying. We probably ordered too much, but asparagus keeps a lot better overnight than salmon or tuna so we got to have a leftovers breakfast of sushi the following morning. There's a $20 minimum for delivery, which is pretty easy to hit for sushi. All told, we were more than satisfied with the selections and preparations, and will probably utilize the delivery option more often in the future - thanks Friends!
(4)Billie H.
The sushi is ok. I have experienced better and worse. Everything was good. The sushi was fresh. The ginger has some heat to it. The service is annoying. I sat at the sushi bar. I am use to filling in my order and placing it on top of the sushi window for the sushi chef. Apparently this is a no no here. The order needs to be highlighted so the sushi chef can read it. The host/waiter made multiple comments to the chef that it was ok "as long as he could read it." It just really struck me as rude. All sushi orders are placed on top of the sushi bar. I was the only one sitting at the sushi bar, but everything had to go out right next to me. If something else was needed, again, standing right next to me. The host/waiter needed some extra sauce, right next to me, slaps a small bowl on top of the glass. The eating experience was pretty annoying. I was happy to be done, but as my empty tray sat there the owner stood next to me talking bad about a neighboring business. As he continuedbtalking them down he finally took my tray, and got my check, pausing briefly to ask if I wanted anything else as he handed me my check. I might stop by again if craving sushi and in the area. I wouldn't sit at the sushi bar though.
(3)Cindy R.
Came here last night with my uncle and had a yummy meal! We ordered 2 orders of spring rolls (they're tiny but delicious), 2 rolls (volcano & vegas) and an order of mango chicken. My favorite was probably the volcano roll. It had a slight spice from the jalapeno and good flavor. The mango chicken was quite good also but it was a little too sweet. Could use some heat! ;) Friends Sushi & Bento may not be the largest or the most expensive sushi restaurant around but if you're looking for a pretty good meal, you can find it here. The service was good and not overpowering either. I'd recommend it.
(4)Neeca B.
I hesitate to share the secret of friends sushi Monday special. For now they are always busy but still able to seat pretty quickly and the rolls get out in decent time. For selfish reasons i wanted to keep this to myself however they are worthy of your patronage.
(5)Carolyn E.
Great lunch special! 9.95 Bento lunch box that comes with a salad, soup, choice of fried rice or egg roll and crab Rangoon, 2 piece nigiri, and one classic roll. Sushi was fresh and staff was extremely nice!!
(4)Duong V.
If I could give this place 2 and a half stars I would. I've been here twice and even though I liked the foods (in general but we'll come back to that later) I couldn't say the same about the service. Both times because we had a big party we were seated in the back by the restrooms, which I didn't really have a problem with. However both times we got the same waitress (can't remember her name but she's white about 5'3 brown hair) and oh boy she was rude. She must have had a bad day both times or something because her attitude sucked ass. About the foods: in general we liked them because of the prices and the big portion. But you can definitely find better sushi/Japanese foods somewhere else.
(3)Khin A.
They mixed up my order of sushi. Also, Bento lunch was very tasteless. Not going back for a second time.
(1)Daniela G.
I've been looking for decent sushi even since I moved out to the Midwest - I think I may have found it. This place is decent, BUT only on Monday nights/Saturday lunches when they're offering their sushi specials. It's affordable during those times, but dine-in only, I get why, but still a blower. MAJOR PLUS: they deliver, and not just in the Volker/39th street area, but to Union Hill and Hyde Park as well! Hallelujah for delivery! For some reason I haven't been able to find much outside of pizza that offers that around here...
(3)Brianne L.
AH! It took me forever to find this place and it only came through the suggestion of a dude (stupid boys, at least you can trust their stomachs!). I had a favorite sushi place when I lived in OP and now I have one that is close since I've moved. I've eaten here with friends and alone and didn't feel awkward at all. Their food is great and the sake bombs are awesome! If you don't want to do many, order one sake bomb, but get extra glasses. My friend and I ordered 2 sake bombs and each had about 2.5 a piece! It's a comfortable place to be with a small group or yourself. I love it here. Plus, it's a couple of doors down from Prospero's. I admit I've frequently had too much sake and thought to walk it off at the bookstore only to come home with $50 in books. I'm also not saying I don't stand by my decisions!
(5)Ci C.
Amazing food!!! If you don't mind the small dinning area. I enjoy it every time eating there. One of the best sushi in town. If you don't know what to get just ask your server or the manager.
(5)Tyra W.
Not impressed to say the least! The service was almost nonexistent for being a Monday lunch service with three waitstaff and occupied three tables including us. My boyfriend and I went in with an open mind but we will not return indefinitely. We decided on the bento box lunch specials where it comes with tons of goodies like a roll of your choice, two pieces of sushi, miso or onion soup, salad (think Dole iceberg lettuce mix with dressing), a midget spring roll, and cheese cracker (i.e. too lazy to make a crab rangoon so they just fold it up, then fry, call it a cracker). The sushi itself had a unusual consistency that does no good for the palate. I got the crunchy spicy salmon roll which was completely tasteless and for some reason mushy feeling. After a while the texture started getting to me. He got the BBQ eel roll and it was acceptable. Although the food is questionable, the terrible service overshadows any good experience that could have possibly come out of our visit. We paid our bill and voilà ! We had to find and ask our own server for our change after 15 minutes of just sitting there. Our bill was $22 and he actually pocketed the remainder of the cash. Now for great service, I wouldn't be bothered by this, but to not even bring it back to the table? If this hipster gentleman would actually like to explain to me why he thought he deserved over 35% tip, I would have given it to him JUST to hear his explanation. Don't waste your time with this one; Kansas City has a plethora of better sushi options!
(2)Jesika F.
I've been going here since 2012 and I've never had a bad experience. The waiters are friendly and know their stuff. I've never waited for a table or my food, in fact this is the place to go if you're looking for a quick dinner. The sushi is absolutely the best I've had in the KC area. It's always fresh and rolled perfectly. I have noticed they are getting more popular which is great I just hope they will continue to be an amazing restaurant.
(5)Gabriel R.
This place is well needed to strengthen KC's sushi palette. Definitely keeping it in the out-to-eat rotation. Staff was responsive, mellow, and genuinely friendly. They didn't happen to make any unique impression but didn't go MIA or hover. The food came out quickly and well done (yay crisp edamame!). Food was appropriately priced. I will never dehydrate in their ice-water vigilance. Without being the largest restaurant, they utilize their space well to have some tables with a feel of privacy and other tables overlooking windows and bar, which is a subtle but appreciated perk. My only one concern was that on a hot day, they had fans on with no air conditioning. The local area is great for mixing little non-chain shops and food places--this place fits right in to the stroll-ability of the neighborhood (which the greater Kansas City area tends to be relatively lacking, so is doubly great). Happy to have wandered into this place.
(5)Sarah H.
I've been afraid to try sushi since moving here from California, but came here on a first date. It was okay, the texture and taste of the fish was off. It's not fresh, but that was expected when eating sushi in the Midwest. This is quite depressing because sushi is my favorite food. They also don't know what an actual handroll is or maybe it was just my server.
(2)Natalie H.
This place is amazing! We started out with the vegetable tempura and short ribs, both were awesome! I ordered the tuna sushi, the spicy tuna roll, the spider roll and the BBQ eel roll. All were very fresh and delicious! My husband ordered the Ramen with Tonkatsu and was very pleased. He said, "It was supremely satisfying". Our server was great and attentive. We will definitely be back soon!
(5)Lacy F.
All I have to say is be very afraid. We made reservations the week before for a group of 8 for my bachelorette party. The day before and the day of they called to make sure we were still coming. They then decided to tell us they might not be open because of "sewage problems"...gross. We called them back later to see if they were still open because we had limited options and they told us yes. We walked in the door at 8:45 on a saturday night and the door said they close at 10. They said we had 15 minutes to order and eat. We asked "dont you close at 10" they said they decided to close early. We decided to take our business elseware. My friend pulled the manager aside to discuss how unprofessional they were being...he became even more unprofessional at that moment and we left. Sewage sushi...no thanks!!!
(1)andrea d.
Just getting around to review! We had reservations for valentine's dinner and arrived to find a charming little sushi hangout. I loved everything about this place. Their employees, from the host to our waitress were amazing and we were treated like old friends. Don't you just love those little neighborhood places that you don't want to leave even after your meal?? I can't wait to go back! Definitely make reservations though...... Little restaurants plus lots of hungry waiting guests don't mix. That's part of the charm... there's always a reason for high demand- Good food!
(5)Mark S.
Friends has become my almost-weekly ritual. After a hard week, nothing beats waking up early, going to spin class, and then ruining my hard work by downing as much sushi as I can fit in my belly. That's where Friends Sushi and Bento comes in. They do a $1 per nigiri, and ~$5 per roll special on Sat at lunchtime and Monday for dinner. Great value. The fish is reasonably fresh and the service is pretty speedy. I can escape from lunch, spending about $20, and not eat for the rest of the day. The sushi, while not traditional (I'm a purist, sorry!), does a great job with their rolls. They are packed with ingredients and are not mostly rice like some of the restaurants in town. And while this isn't California or Japan, the sushi is done pretty well for the Midwest. The waiters are all gaijin, but everyone is super friendly and the service is efficient. This is in stark contrast to the pretentious Drunkenfish restaurant in P&L or in Leawood. At Friends, the waitstaff seem genuinely interested in making sure you're enjoying the meal. As for the rest about the restaurant, here's the skinny: The restaurant looks like it used to be a video store that was refurbished to a restaurant; there are lots of paraphernalia from Japan around the restaurant, and a sushi bar up front. Although it's a Japanese restaurant, the Zhang Fei statues at the door suggest that the owners are Chinese. The multi-Asian influence is also reflected in their menu, which overall is pretty eclectic. They feature some dishes from China, Korea, and Japan; the sushi chefs are Vietnamese. I was pleasantly surprised to see ramen on their menu, as well as kangba beef stew, which are hard to find here in the Midwest. They do these pretty well. Here's what I think overall: Food: sushi: 4/5 (5/5 would be something like Sushi Ota in an Diego or in the Tsukiji Fish Market) other food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Cleanliness:5/5 Ambience: 3/5 (this place gets packed on Mon night and Sat lunch, so it can be hard to get a table sometimes) Price: sushi special: 5/5 regular sushi: 4/5 regular menu: 4/5 Overall: 4 stars! Good job, Friends Sushi and Bento! Thanks for keeping me full and happy on a Saturday and for helping with my sushi cravings!
(4)Sara D.
I had an intense craving for sushi, but Nara and Domo's Happy Hours were over so we decided to try somewhere new. Friends Sushi was such a pleasant surprise! If you go there, go on Monday nights. They have incredible specials: $1 sushi and $3.99 rolls. We ordered 4 pieces of sushi, 4 rolls, Saki, a glass of wine, and edamame, and our bill came to only $38. The wait was only 15 minutes and our food came out to us super fast. Everything tasted fresh and we were pleased with the cleanliness of the building and the politeness of the waitstaff. I will definitely be back!
(5)JoAnne O.
This is a very relaxed, great sushi place. Awesome crispy spring rolls, and veggie rolls.
(4)Courtney M.
This place is good but they always close early, due to weather. The weather wasn't even that bad. They lost out on business. Other places around them were open. The snow was already on the ground at 5pm. They shouldn't have opened up then and then turn customers away.
(1)Becky B.
The nigiri and rolls here are pretty solid and the service is quite swift. Monday nights are great and they deliver.
(3)Tom C.
Very few places warrant 5 stars, having said Friends deserves all 5. The entire experience was VIP! The chef/owner took personal care of our meal and prepared a couple of items not on the regular menu. Sake was just right and we finished off with a tempura banana. Fabulous.
(5)Tabitha W.
I really like this place. I had vegan sushi- sweet potato & avocado. Also had the veggie tempura, 2 orders actually. Very good & service was good too!! A little pricey for lunch but it was worth it.
(5)Darcey R.
This place has the best sushi I've ever had. Also the worst sushi I've ever had. Actually, last night was the first time that I've ever had sushi. I had been putting off trying sushi for years; I'm not a huge fish fan so it just seemed odd to me. I was finally convinced to try it and with their Monday night special ($4 maki rolls) Friends seemed like the place to do it. I went with a California Roll, Spicy Crab Roll, and Spicy Tuna roll. I am surprised at how much I liked all three. The tuna one (the only one with raw protein) had kind of a weird consistency for me but still tasted good. This restaraunt is in a very busy location and has limited seating. I would not recommend going in a group larger than 4. There were 6 of us last night and we had to wait for two tables to open up next to each other so they could push them together (total wait was about 45min).
(4)Daniel H.
I didn't eat any sushi here on my first visit so skip my review if that's what you're looking for until I try next time and update my review. I had this place bookmarked less than a month of moving to Kansas City and I finally was able to come here to eat. It was a Saturday around noon and there were a lot of tables available. My waitress was pretty nice and friendly. I came here to try their ramen out so that's what I ordered. I had the Special Ramen Soup ($8.95) and chose the Yakitori which was rice, grilled chicken, steak and shrimp kabobs for a total of $9.88. I didn't know what to expect and since there weren't a lot of pictures on Yelp, it was based on what sounded good. I waited about 10 minutes before my food came out. The Yakitori was delicious! I thought there was a lot of flavor in the shrimp kabobs and the grilled chicken and steak kabobs were also pretty good. The ramen was good as well but the style was different than I thought it would be. There were bean sprouts, sliced bell peppers, and I think bok choy. In my opinion, the amount of food I ate was good for under $10. I need to come back to try the sushi and also their lunch bentos looked like a good amount of food for the price. I saw a couple at another table have that and I'll have to try that next time.
(4)Amanda L.
SERVES FOOD OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EATEN!!!! Tonight my server brought my dish which she reassured us was the correct dish. Later, after I began eating, she came back with a new dish, stating she had given me the wrong dish. I told the server I had already started eating from the plate so she picked up the old dish, took food from my NEW dish and put it on the OLD dish. I said "You aren't serving that are you?" She said "no I'm doing what I'm told" I then saw her bring it back to the kitchen to another server who gave it to another table!!!!!! When I confronted the server she blamed her manager, when I confronted the manager he blamed the server. 39th street in KC has some awesome local businesses. You should TOTALLY go there BUT don't go to Friends Sushi. They are a health code violation.
(1)Diana C.
The sushi was good and reasonably priced. I particularly liked the BMW roll and another roll with spicy tuna and mango, which was perfectly balanced in spice and sweetness. The striped bass sashimi was excellent! Service was great and I never had to ask for a drink refill. We arrived at 7:15 on a Saturday night and were seated immediately, but within 15 minutes the whole restaurant was full. I recommend calling ahead to check wait times and possibly making a reservation just in case. Parking in the area was pretty crazy. There is a (full) parking lot and street parking, but be careful not to park on the permit-required residential side of the street.
(5)Anna M.
Go here. I've been going to Friends for the better part of 7 years now. The sushi can sometimes take a while, but it's because they hand roll fresh to order. What some people don't realize when going to sushi restaurants, is that faster sushi service is sometimes due to pre-made rolls. Yuck. Their bento box for lunch is a total bargain. I love their portion sizes. Their ramen is great too. I love the owners, love the staff. I just adore this little place.
(5)C D.
This was by far the worst sushi I have ever had in my life. Not talking about worst sushi for the money...I'm talking about period. The shrimp tempura was served cold and raw and when spoke to the manager he told me that "it's not a hamburger". When asked for a exchange or refund on the sushi he told me "No". When I was leaving I saw to health inspectors enter the front door...LOL!!! I usually give good reviews but trust me stay away from this place at all costs.
(1)Joanna S.
I have been twice. The first time, the sushi was okay and the service was good. The second time, I was there almost 20 minutes before close on a Monday, trying to get takeout, and they refused me (there's a sign on the door that says take-out only in the last fifteen minutes, but they didn't live up to it). They were very rude. Despite the cute atmosphere at Friends and the good deals, I am taking my business elsewhere from now on.
(1)Michelle R.
Love, love, love this place! Excellent sushi, service, and prices!!! The plum wine is so delicious. Small and cute location. Great with friends or that SPECIAL someone.
(5)Zack A.
I really wanted to like this place. Enjoyed the food, but my order was wrong three times. If you're a vegetarian and order the Meat-Free Bento, be aware that the wonton has crab in it. Would've been nice to know that my meat-free meal had meat in it before I took a bite.
(3)Steve W.
Stay away. There are so many better sushi places around the area. The sashimi was slimy, small and stringy. I sometimes cut a sashimi piece with a chop stick to get extra pieces from it and I actually broke my chop stick trying to slice through the tough, stringy fat. Also, no miso soup with your order and they actually some how messed up the soy sauce and serve MSG loaded salt liquid. I heard about this place from several friends on how it was a good sushi and a great value, but unfortunately they were wrong. Prices are about standard for this caliber sushi place ($2.50 for 1 piece sashimi, $5 - $7 basic rolls, $10 - $12 for speciality rolls).
(1)Skye A.
Best sushi I've had so far! Our waitress was super friendly! I've drove by this place almost daily and never paid it any attention. Now this will be my go to sushi place!
(5)anna w.
Me and my boyfriend take all of out relatives/ friends here whenever we can't agree where to eat and everyone loves it. The sushi tastes so fresh. This is absolutely my favorite sushi place in KC. The décor isn't very impressive and it's very casual. But as long as the food stays this high of quality I don't mind :) The "Friends Roll" is the BEST.
(5)Eric W.
Great little hidden gem. Monday and Saturdays have unreal prices, most maki is $3.99 per roll, and soshimi (sp) is a buck a piece. Pair that with $2.75 domestic bottles and you got a pretty damn good lunch. I'll be venturing back to fulfill my next sushi craving.
(4)Nancy B.
You really can't beat the Monday specials. Decent tasting sushi that is prepared quickly. We've regularly brought our well-behaved child and the staff has always been welcoming. I really can't say enough good about them.
(5)Winona D.
This place has wonderful happy hour deals for food and drinks during the week! Great sushi, great service - love it! Allows take-out, but not during happy hour (although, you CAN bring extras home! so order a lot!)
(4)Sydney R.
I like this place, the staff is friendly.. the people there are fun. The echo and acoustics is not good at all as the space is in two old store fronts and the ceilings are very high and all hard cement with stairs in between the "two" (now one) old stores. They go a long way back and are short in width in front so two were needed. The sushi is very good. I have gone a lot and only had not quite AS good sushi once. I go for the monday night and saturday specials :)
(4)Melissa P.
I don't want to give the impression this is a poor review. I just can't get excited about my experience. The food and service was the fastest I've ever received for sushi, but good food is worth a wait, and virtually as soon as I order it raises some eyebrows. First, atmosphere is fine & nothing special, but has a clean appearance. Staff were helpful and didn't bother us. The Saturday lunch specials are really cheap. But probably not in a good way. We spent $36 on 3 rolls, tempura, and shrimp dumplings. They have a very abbreviated menu w/ $1 nigiri, and $4 rolls, regular price for the rest. The rolls gave me the immediate impression that the sushi chef(s) did not take particular pride in their craft, and sadly, after eating I as even less impressed. We ordered the Spicy Tuna, Spicy Crab, and Kansas roll, which is supposed to have spicy crab. None were spicy, BTW. The tuna looked mashed rather than chopped, and had an unappealing texture, and a slightly fishy aftertaste. Really, I feel wasabi & soy sauce are in insult to the chef, but when the sushi needs it, I use it. In this case, they were no help to me. The rolls were about as tiny as I have ever seen. I've seen thicker cigars. The rolls came un-rolled when I picked them up. They had no visual appeal or flair. Again, I wanted to like this place, and we are trying so hard to find a new sushi place where we can become regulars, but this place just isn't the one. I'd rather hold out for something better when I need that fix.
(2)Tania W.
I've been going here since they first opened and the food never disappoints me. The Friends sushi roll is my favorite! But I have tried pretty much everything there and I can't say anything bad about it. Very clean and although the wait staff can be a little rude, depending on who you get, it's always a nice time. One of the best sushi places I've tried in KC!
(5)Nicole K.
This is a good spot to get your sushi fix. Not the best, but very good. I love how many great veggie sushi options there are - it's nice to have choices instead of just one veggie roll offering. They have a vegetarian dinner that comes served on a little bridge, so you can't beat that for a fun presentation, even if the rolls are a little bland. The service is good and consistent. They once made an error on my order and made it right instantly.
(4)meli l.
Is this the Best Sushi I've Ever Had In My Life? Nope - it's totally passable, yummy sushi. Normally, a place like Friends would be a three star restaurant. What pushes it to five? Three things that end up making all the difference in the world: 1. Happy Hour - their Monday and Saturday tradition of discounted rolls and sushi, gosh, the prices are unbelievable for what you get. 2. Amazing service - every time we've gone, the waitstaff has been so sweet, so knowledgeable, helpful and cool and nice. Just a really nice, well-trained staff. 3. OMFG THEY DELIVER. I can count on one hand the number of places I've been able to find in KC that deliver since I've moved here. Friends delivers their unbelievably inexpensive, perfectly good sushi to my HOUSE so that I don't have to leave, and can eat sushi while I watch True Blood or read comic books in my pajamas. Thank you, Friends.
(5)Karla M.
The food is ok. Just ok. The service is good though. There's almost nothing else to say other than that. I'll only eat there on Monday night of Saturday afternoon when they have their sushi special. I LOVE sushi and have had some great sushi just not anywhere in the KC metro area. Believe it or not Lawrence and Topeka have better sushi than KC, if you're willing to take a drive it's worth it.
(3)Anna N.
We had decided to give Friends another go, because nothing else was open on New Year's Eve day. They had changed the menu, both look and feel... and it was an improvement from other times we've gone. So we were eager to try it again this past Saturday. You have to get their before 3pm, because they close for a couple of hours and reopen at 5pm. Soooo Saturday we went for lunch to try their new ramen dishes. When we arrived, around 2... there were several tables eating, the waiter had 2 menu's in hand, there there was a discussion with the sushi chef and the host, with the waiter looking confused. Then he was reprimanded for having the OPEN sign lit. Their hours are posted and the OPEN sign was on. That leads ME to believe the place is open for business. Not so... we were then finally told in English that they were in fact closed and we could order take out. I went across the street and had my usual glorious meal from the Blue Koi. I will not be back. Peanches on 39th street is also known for turning people away.... when their 6 tables are full of they made the mistake NOT to keep up with your reservation. So my message is you keep kicking people out of your restaurants for whatever reason, means I don't have to eat there for my reasons of not putting up with rudeness. I know of NO restaurant I've ever worked who turned away business... even at closing time.
(1)Bill H.
This is technically 4.5 stars since it is not the best sushi I have ever had in my life, but it is better than just recommendable. I am definitely considering this as a top option when I am in the neighborhood. The prices are reasonable and presentation is awesome. The traditional rolls are everything you would want and the specialty rolls are really awesome. I really wish I would have tried the Kansas City Roll (wrapped in avocado!). Excellent smiling service and comfortable atmosphere complete with smiling waving ceramic kittehs. It is worthy to note that they are closed between lunch and dinner (3-5pm) Enjoy it
(5)Josh M.
B So I was going to make my first trip to Blue Koi last night. Started reading the posted menu on the door and decided against it. Nothing struck my fancy, I'm not a picky eater. It's just that nothing sounded good. The girlfriend and I hoofed it across the street to Friends Sushi and Bento. She'd been before, I hadn't. I tried the teriyaki (sp?) bento. It came with a very good miso soup, teriyaki steak, a spring roll and crab rangoon, a tasty little salad, some delicious rice and a little piece of cake. All for $9. It was all very good and the service was friendly and proper. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Meghan M.
I kind of hate reviewing this place b/c I'm selfish and want to keep it to myself! :) It's small, cozy, and good! I go for their sushi happy hours (Monday nights & Saturday lunch) which are wonderful. My go to sushi joint. Like others said, it's not mind blowing sushi/rolls, but it's solid, good, and inexpensive. I also love their seaweed salad.
(4)Amanda S.
HUGE fan of Friends. I love their Saturday lunch and Monday night $1 maki and $3 roll special. I have tried other sushi places and wasn't impressed. But Friends is fresh and the place has a friendly vibe. Maybe that is why it is called Friends? We ordered 2 pieces each of tuna and clam, 4 pieces of bbq unagi, a spicy crab roll, regular tuna roll and bbq unagi roll. Yes, we like eel....a lot. Every piece was super fresh and crisp tasting. Once again, I wasn't disappointed. The service is good. It can get a bit spotty when they get busy but that's okay. I need time to digest everything I just had to eat!
(4)Jamison U.
We frequent them nearly every week, and I can say its always good, tasty, and well served. Beyond a place with few flaws its not out standing which makes it great also(that prices are great). Overall a great sushi place for simple eats and low bills
(4)Blue M.
If it's nigiri you're after, you can't do better than this place. ESPECIALLY on Saturday lunch and Monday evenings. $1 nigiri, $3 maki. Mouthwatering. I've been here 1,000 times. The service is great at a table or the sushi bar. The mackerel, salmon, tuna, and yellowtail nigiri are my favorite things to order here. They are always fresh, beautiful cuts. I'm glad tomorrow is Monday :) It get's pretty dark in here in the evening. And it can get pretty loud too. But I think that's just the ambiance of the place. It's near that State Line/39th parking lot, and it's right on the 39th street bus line. Convenient and cheap and delicious. Can't do much better. I love bringing people here.
(5)Jules C.
Went for the Monday night sushi happy hour. $3.99 rolls and $1 pieces of sushi. I was disappointed at the selection of sushi on happy hour, I thought there would be more options. The sushi was pretty good though, so I will probably be back.
(4)Linwah L.
the quality of this place is called," ghetto." This is not real japanese food. This is catered to college students in the midwest. I came here with a friend and we got the Japanese Ramen with the Yakitori and the beef short ribs as well as a sushi roll. wow. what a huge let down. Note: I am of asian ethnicity. If you don't have that great of a pallet for asian food then go ahead, but in reality this is like a McDonalds japanese restaurant. If you know what I mean. You can get the same kind of quality at Panda Express for half the price, save your money and go across the street to Po's Dumpling Bar for some more authentic Taiwanese food.
(1)Christopher Y.
Met a friend here for lunch. Great as always. Good staff, good food, good value. I highly recommend the place.
(5)Lauren C.
I'm having a really hard time finding a great sushi experience in Kansas City. That place is too expensive. That one has icky sushi. That place is an hour away. That place smells like cat urine. It goes on and on. It's like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. But Friends Sushi and Bento? I'll start with the ambience. Friends is an inviting place - clean, colorful and someday I am going to smuggle one of those cute Japanese figurines home in my purse. (Not really. Please don't arrest me if that comes to pass.) It's not a huge place, so I generally go for early lunch to beat the rush. The sushi is good. Not incredible, not amazing, but definitely tasty. And I know people keep mentioning it, but with the Monday night and Saturday lunch specials that value skyrockets. Good sushi becomes truly superior when you and your husband can get in and out for about $20. I've tried some of the specialty rolls, and I haven't been blown away by any of them. Completely serviceable, but if you simply must have the most awesomest, most elaborate SuperSpiderPhilly roll in the world then you may want to try elsewhere. Otherwise, you'll be fine. Specialty rolls are not on the Monday/Saturday special menu so I'm of the "Who Cares?" school. I get bento envy anytime I see one of the shiny black boxes go by but I haven't ordered one yet. Friends seem to be happy with them and they always have a nice array of options but I just can't miss an opportunity for sushi. The crunchy spicy salmon is great, one of our regular orders. The California roll is refreshing. I have never had a bad roll here, they are consistently fresh and well-flavored. I am in love with the seaweed salad, though it was a little heavy on the dressing that last time I had it. I have no idea if they make it in house. The spring rolls are good, but I always find it strange when a restaurant serves things in odd numbers for two people. You get three, which means the hubs and I have to do an awkward chopstick dance with the third to get it cut in equal halves. One reviewer mentioned that the rolls weren't well-made and they fell apart - I haven't experienced that in any of the many times I have been here so maybe that was just an isolated incident? I did try to bring my stepdad here a few weeks ago and was a little disappointed that they didn't have gluten-free soy sauce for him. Just a gentle suggestion, Friends. You may want to think about getting some. I can't say enough about the service! They have pretty consistent staff for a restaurant and everyone is responsive. On hand to refill the drinks. I have never been served sushi faster than I do when I am here; my hat is off to the ninja master rollers behind the counter. This isn't a complaint, per se - but I sometimes wish the staff was a little friendlier, though they are always courteous. I know they see a lot of traffic but my husband and I go in almost every week and we bring groups on the regular. It would be nice to see some sign of recognition - but then I just want all of my haunts to be like Cheers and I don't see Cliff Claven anywhere around. I have some more testing and tracking to do in order to find my perfect sushi spot here in KC. And for now, Friends Sushi and Bento is just right.
(4)Ted H.
Food: The rolls were pretty good, but the ramen was way too salty for my taste. Decor: Clean. Service: Nice, but a bit slow.
(2)Vanessa O.
I felt that our waiter was not very good. Maybe he was new or maybe just tired but he just was not very attentive. He was not terrible or anything but I felt minimal effort from his part. The food was good. My husband did not like it as much other sushi places though. We tried to order a meal that had a very appealing photo on the menu and they apparently don't even serve that there which I thought was odd. I don't think we would go back unless we really wanted sushi again and our first choice venue was booked up.
(3)Kim F.
It is hard to find a good sushi place in Kansas City. I have tried several restaurants and always find myself returning to Friends. The sushi is fresh and very good. The wait staff are extremely friendly and make a point to make you feel welcome. It is a small place yet cozy, and whether you choose to sit at the sushi bar or at a table, it is an enjoyable experience.
(4)Lynsey S.
It was good sushi. I was happy!
(4)Amy C.
Friends is fine, but not more than fine. My husband and I ate at Friends for lunch on 1/28/12. I've been to this restaurant a couple of times with friends in the past and found the food to be good, but I never feel the need to come back. My husband suggested dining there and I agreed. Perhaps it's the atmosphere that keeps me away, I find the decor to be off-putting and tired. The lime green wall with the goldenrod wall with the scarlet wall with the black ceiling is kind-of a turn off. On the green wall hangs a wall mount that once held or will someday hold a flat screen television. The paint is tired, the tables and chairs are old and, while clean, never seem to lose that restaurant film that develops over time. The service on my three visits seems to be consistently helpful. The server kept our glasses full and came back to check on us throughout our meal. On this visit the server took our order and the hostess brought out our sushi before our gyoza appetizer had been delivered. I could tell the server was frustrated with the hostess and she came back over to our table to ask if we still wanted the gyoza. When we confirmed that we did she went back and had the cook start preparing the order. The real reason to eat out is food, and Friends did OK by us. We split four pieces of sushi, a santa roll and a sunset roll. The sushi seemed fresh and tasty. The rolls were each good, although I found the mango in the santa roll to be a bit on the under-ripe side. When the gyoza made it to our table, following our main course, it was still a bit cold in the middle. I'm sure the cook rushed it since it was late getting out to us. Would I go back to Friends? Sure, if someone was craving it I would tag along. As far as I'm concerned, if I want sushi there are other places in the city I would choose first.
(2)Kelly F.
Went here last night (monday) and enjoyed some pretty decent sushi that they rolled right in front of us. We sat at the sushi bar, and to be honest, it looked a little sketch...but actually quite tasty! They has dollar sushi, and some $3.99 rolls which was not bad! It is a small space though so we had to wait for a bit...but I would definitely go back!
(4)Jennifer H.
OH MAN, I REALLY wanted to love this place. It's OH SO CLOSE to my house and would have been the perfect, convenient sushi local of my dreams. In my head it was all planned out. I'd eat there every Monday evening for their awesome special, and sometimes I'd walk in for lunch, too...alas, it is not to be. Why? Simply put, the place kind of sucks. I know, not a terribly mature word to use. Let's see if I can elaborate with a bit more class: The Mango Chicken is syrupy sweet and drowning in sauce. FYI, Friends, sweet doesn't make up for a lack of flavor. We've tried the rolls three times, and they just aren't very good. They're average at best. The fish is fishy, the rolls aren't very tightly rolled, and there aren't any impressive signature rolls. The service has never been very good - inattentive, not overly pleasant. Oh well, I guess I'll have to find a nearby sushi place that's actually decent.
(2)Ashley O.
Located close to KU Med, this is a great staple for quick group lunches, basic sushi, and a quaint atmosphere. Happy hour deals are great also. I definitely recommend Friends for a quick group lunch. I have been here multiple times in groups of 5-10 and they provide excellent service. Their Bento box lunch special facilitates ordering and they split checks up without giving you grief like some places.
(4)Lawrence N.
A modest little Japanese restaurant with affordable food. Sub $10 bento boxes for dinner on a weekend night? I haven't seen prices like that since the 90's. But I'm a firm believer in the saying, you get what pay for. While the food isn't mind blowing, it's still very adequate for the price point. They have the standard sushi and rolls. There's a good bento box variety and they even have Ramen which isn't too common around these parts. Give it a try, you might like it.
(3)Heidi B.
Amazing!!! So yummy! I'm from Colorado and good sushi is plentiful out there, but out here it has been hard to track a good place. My friend introduced me to Friend's and I loved it! Their daikon roll has me drooling at the thought of eating it. Their bento boxes are amazing too! Much love to Friend's, I'll be a frequent vistor!
(4)April B.
Decent sushi. Everything was VERY salty. Decor could use help.
(3)Anne S.
I regret writing this review because of the many other times I have gone to Friends, but my recent experience has definitely ruined it for me for a while if not for good. The sushi has always been great and was still this time. The woman who runs it as well as the hostess were very kind as usual. However, the server who serviced me and my mother's table tonight was far from acceptable. I am in the service industry and understand what service is supposed to be. This was nowhere close. We had marked two rolls that we believed we would be getting as hand rolls. When our food was brought out, there was our sushi and two rolls. There were no hand rolls, so I assumed they would be brought soon. As I realized they were not brought, I caught the server's attention and inquired about them. He said we did not order two hand rolls, just the regular rolls. He showed us our order which was not even the correct sheet that we had marked. We reiterated how we had marked them on the other sheet and thought we were getting hand rolls. He did not attempt to explain anything or check in on it beyond bringing only one of the order sheets back. Then he reached over us, grabbed up the menu roughly and slammed the two bowls of soup we had drank together and walked off. At this point I had had enough. My mother is too kind to say anything, but I will not stand for such rudeness. I then went up to him near the sushi bar and explained that his reaction was extremely rude, to which he rolled his eyes, and that we had ordered two hand rolls. Assuming I was asking for a refund he snapped back with how we are eating two things we ordered and now want it back. I cut him off and said that I was not asking for a refund, but only that I wanted our check and a box. He did not apologize and quickly grabbed them and shoved them off on me. I went back up to the table, at which point the woman who owns it came up and asked about it. We explained the situation and she went and got the correct sheet, though a blank one. She asked if we had circled hand rolls on it, since apparently marking it just meant we wanted regular rolls. I said we had not but that that was never explained to us and he never attempted to explain it. We told her the issue was how rude he was, not that there was a mix up with the order. She apologized but did not offer any money off the bill or compensation. The server never came back up to apologize or say anything further. At that point we left. I do not get to go out to restaurants hardly ever. I am always on the service side, so when I do get to go out it is a huge treat. When I do go out, I tip around 30% at least because I understand the small wages we all get. This then blows my mind that he made no attempt to correct the situation, seeing as how his tip depended on it. I am upset that my mother's experience was ruined as well as mine. WIth that kind of attitude, this "server" would work better at a dive bar than a restaurant such as Friends. I did not get his name, but he has medium length blonde-brown hair and a beard. As fairly regular customer, it amazes me how rude he was. For any of you planning a visit and receive him, be sure to read the menu and walk him through your order step by step. Otherwise your order will be messed up and I guarantee there will be no effort made to correct it and you will get nothing but rude retorts and eye rolls. I love Friends Sushi and enjoy going to the dollar sushi nights when I can afford it. After this experience, I will not be returning for a while if at all. I feel bad for the other workers at Friends because they have been delightful people and do not deserve to have such a person ruining their reputation.
(1)jennifer j.
Well, it was OK. I guess I am still in search as some really killer fresh quality sushi in a cool atmosphere I can enjoy. Maybe traveling has spoiled me, but I don't think atmosphere and quality in one location is a lot to ask. Sushi House out south comes pretty darn close, but why should I have to drive out there???? Anyway, before I just go off in a sushi rant, let me speak to this place in particular. The atmosphere was cute, but didn't feel polished. It was kitsch meets alternative. Only 1 table were occupied on this Saturday night. The waitress was very friendly, yet it was hard to get refills on water after 2 more parties showed up. The wine list is really awful, but I did spot a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on a "specials" menu hidden behind the salt shaker. The food-I started with the miso soup, which could have used a whole lot more miso. It was watered down and had very little tofu or green onions. My partners salad was watery. All the dressing was in the bottom, so it was like eating a bowl of iceberg lettuce. The sushi was OK, but the rolls were not rolled tight. The spicy tuna (the roll by which I measure all sushi restaurants) was not very spicy or flavorful. Yellowtail sashimi was decent. I can see where this place might be a good choice for cheap happy hour specials....and in that case you wouldn't expect too much. Once again, off the subject- I am just so turned off by the parking options around 39th street that hitting this area always seems less then appealing.
(2)Angela W.
I love this place. Go there about once a week, always have sushi. I hear Monday is an awesome half priced type of sushi night, but have yet to try it, as we have roller derby scrimmage after. Gorging on sushi isn't the best of ideas. Everything I've had there has been good to great! Favorite rolls include anything with eel, avocado, and salmon!!!
(4)Sarah H.
I have finally tried Friends Sushi and there lunch special was a pretty good deal, not what i would normally order though. It was miso soup, spring roll (fried), crab ragoon, iceberg salad with ginger dressing, a pick of selected roll types and two individual sushi pcs. Pretty good selection of choices.... I'm not the biggest fan of ginger so the salad was a little over powering too me, but with a little soy mixed it was pretty good. I got the shrimp and salmon sushi and was fine...simple enough. Then i selected the bbq eel roll and really did not have much flavor, but still decently good. The miso had seaweed and tofu in it and was really delicious! All in all i can't say it would cause cravings but was good and the service was very friendly.
(2)Christopher Thomas B.
I like sushi, and the stuff here is pretty decent. I've never gone for cheap Monday sushi, because cheap sushi is a word arrangement that, at least in my mind, spells gastrointestinal disaster. But prices are good and service is expedient. Good working man's sushi in an unpretentious environment.
(3)Louise H.
I am a frequent Monday night flyer at Friends. To avoid the wait I would recommend going right after work. Fast/friendly service, great food and GREAT prices.
(5)Erin M.
Very cute little sushi place. My friend and I were in the mood for soosh but didn't want to deal with clusterfuck Kona and wanted something new besides Nara (which is still a favorite, my dear Nara). I hopped on Yelp, found out Friends was the closest to me outside of those options, and off we went. Overall: tasty, very affordable, very pleasant service from our nice waiter dude and filled bellies. The edamame portion was huge, which I will always welcome. My mixed veggie roll was STUFFED with various herbavore delights and the tempura asparagus roll was...new for me. Probably wouldn't order that again, but that's just a matter of my personal taste, not the kitchen. I think perhaps tempura should just remain by itself and not in a roll. The rolls weren't rolled very well...I am no sushi connoisseur with my veggie only rolls, but I do know when one is too big and not made well. Even my jankety chopsticks skills were not to blame for a few roll fall-aparts. However, it still all tasted awesome. With edamame, two rolls each and a bottle of wine, my friend and I both spent $30, including tip. All in all, I can see this going into our regular KC sushi rotation.
(3)Laura W.
Friends-- how many of us have the(ir sushi)m? This is probably my favorite sushi place in Kansas City but, uh, I've had some very bad sushi in this city. I've been several times but I have only tried their sushi, miso soup and their edamame because I have been so satisfied with what I've gotten...I haven't even wanted to try anything else! I have never had a bad roll there and in fact, their crunchy spicy salmon roll is probably one of the best rolls I've ever had. They are rolled well, they are cheap and they taste good and fresh-- that's what I'm looking for in my sushi. We have had great customer service every time we've gone. Twice we've had a roll "go missing" (aka, the waitress couldn't read my chicken scratch handwriting) but they have quickly made a new roll and sent it out to our table. Can't complain. I love this joint.
(4)Chuck F.
The staff was friendly and the food was awesome. The only reason they didn't get a 5 star review because the minute we sat down the waiter dumped ice water in my lap. Maybe I shouldn't hold that against them but I had to sit through dinner in wet jeans. Will I go back. You bet. But next time guys, buy my beer at least. Or even a manager coming over to apologize would have been a nice touch. Things happen but if it happens again, think about getting a blow dryer for the bathroom. I loved the vibe of the place. My only real criticism is that when all the food came out they could have been proactive about explaining everything. We ordered a huge amount of food so making sure we knew which roll was which and then explaining the sushimi plate would have been a nice touch. Would have made it a more educational experience so that I can know what I like better for my next visit. Which by the way will be next week.
(4)Alexandria M.
Friends is small and is cute enough inside. The food is average at best. Every roll I tried was lacking...mainly in texture. The rolls were mushy and the sashimi was blah. Not a lot of flavor. I just wasn't impressed. I would try something else and wouldn't go back given all of the other restuarants on the street nearby.
(3)Shea C.
I'm a California girl who has called the midwest home for the past six years. And just when I thought great sushi was a thing of my past, Friends came into my life. The fiancé and I checked out the place on a random weeknight, when it was relatively empty. It was his first time trying sushi, so I made sure we sat at the sushi bar. The sushi chef was friendly and fun and made us feel right at home. We ordered a few pieces of maki - salmon, tuna, and eel (my favorite) as well as the spicy tuna roll, spicy crunchy salmon roll and holiday roll (i figured the tempura shrimp inside would win my guy over if nothing else did). Everything was excellent. Fresher than I expected based on the prior reviews (other than Chad S., who I think might be my sushi soulmate). I am not looking for wildly inventive rolls and a nightclub-esque environment when I want sushi. I want no-frills sushi. I want good, fresh, fish with classic preparations. Friends fits the bill. After a great first trip, we decided to come back two days later for the Saturday lunch special ($3 rolls and $1 maki). While the fiancé enjoyed his first sushi experience, he opted for the chicken terriyaki bento box this time. He raved about it. I ordered the crunchy spicy salmon roll and a few pieces of maki. It was just as good as the first time (and the price was fantastic). We will be adding Friends to our regular rotation of neighborhood restaurants. And now I'm craving sushi...
(4)Anna B.
You can't beat the Monday night 1/2 price selections at Friends. This isn't the best sushi around, but it's fresh and the price is right.
(3)Stacie E.
good. not the best in kc. i hear they have a great $1 speical. then it would have been even better. there lunch combo was pretty good
(4)Chad S.
When I moved back to KC from the west coast I knew that my days of really fresh seafood and, possibly, good sushi were likely behind me. Nevertheless, I was not so quick to give up on mid-western sushi without first exploring as many of the options that were out there as I could. It was during this search that I, almost accidentally, discovered Friends. Friends, unlike a few other sub-par places I tried, was not recommended to me by anyone which, in itself, is too bad because of all the places I have tried Friends has been not only the best in terms of quality, but their Saturday lunch special ($1 sushi & $3 rolls) cannot be beat when it comes to price. The only negative I've had in my visits there, and maybe this is a mid-west thing, is that they serve the edamame warm - not bad - just not how I was used to having it.
(4)Tabitha M.
I'm a long time fan of Friend's, largely because it's decent sushi on a college budget. :) Their seaweed salad is perfect, too! Small, quiet environment. Kind of awkwardly decorated, but maybe that's just me. Friendly staff. You can see the sushi-chefs prepare your food, which is comforting. But for real. CHEAP sushi! That's still yummy.
(4)Amber B.
I went here with a friend who have never tried sushi and I've never been to this place, so we decided to try it out. I will say I wasn't all that impressed. Restaurant: - It is a hole in the wall. It's across the street from the Louisiana Kitchen on 39th and State Line, but you may miss it if you're not paying attention. The inside was nice and comfortable. Something I would expect from this type of restaurant. Service: - I read the other reviews that said the service was slow and it was. We got there around 6pm last night (Saturday) and it was us and one other table. By the time we were seated and got water, it took about 10 min for the waiter to come back for our orders. But he was very friendly so I will give that. Food: - We got the panned fried dumplings which were actually pretty good. The order came with 6 dumplings, so when you share with someone, naturally we wanted to get another order. The California Roll was pretty standard, nothing spectacular. Price: -The tab came out to be around $20. I think that's fair for a sushi place. Overall: Maybe I set my exceptions too high, but I was not wowed by this place or the food. My friend really enjoyed, so he will go back. Me on the other other hand, I may try this place again, not sure if that will be anytime soon.
(2)Drew H.
Ok, so I'm a foodie and have not had an opportunity to experience Friends before and I love shusi. Clients asked me to join them this evening around 6pm...the atmosphere was lively but not to capacity. We ordered several items from the Sushi menu and from the regular menu. The food arrived in a timely manner with a nice waiter. We were eating and conversing about business not paying attention to the surroundings...obviously focused on food and business. Immediately upon completing our order, the plates were wisked away and the bill presented. When the receipt was presented, we were still conversing when the hostess walked up to our table and not-so-politely asked us to leave the restaurant for the had a wait. Really....how rude! I shall NEVER return....I prefer places that appreciate my patronage.
(1)Selin S.
Great food. Go on Mondays for sushi. Specials for $1.00 and $3.99 from 5-9pm. My friend got the combo fried rice and I tried the lunch plate. Both were excellent. Star missing due to sllooooow service. Small whole in the wall place but very quaint.
(4)Bill B.
The atmosphere is very pleasant, the service is very good, and the food is good. But except for the few high, backless stools along the window facing the street, all the chairs in the restaurant are unpadded wood. They look good with the decor, but are not comfortable. Perhaps this might be OK at lunch, but I expect comfortable seating for dinner. If they would simply buy some cushions and attach them to the seats, I'd be there more often. On the other hand, their sushi chef really knows what he is doing and has some unique specials, such as his daikon roll, which is rapped in a daikon radish without rice. My preference is to have him omit the masago fish eggs. Two daikon rolls and the agedashi tofu appetizer make an excellent meal. The Vegetarian Heaven roll also is unusual, but is a meal in itself. No, it is not just one roll.
(3)Lyn P.
In KC once again and decided to be adventurous and get sushi for dnner. Being from Cali, I find it hard to believe that you can actually get good quality sushi in a place where you can't see the ocean. My friends love this place and usually head there for $1 sushi night on Mondays. But they like it enough to pay full price for the sushi, so I figured, WTH? They ordered a bunch of rolls and I ordered tuna sashimi and the traditional seafood udon noodle soup (it's freaking 35 degrees in KC right now - soup sounded good.) We also ordered edamame to share. The edamame was just lightly salted and tasted fine. I guess I am used to the grilled version with garlic so I was slightly disappointed, but no biggie. My udon soup came out in the traditional black pot and was filled with scallops, shrimp, imitation crab, and mussels. It also had asparagus and red bell peppers. The seafood was fresh and tasted pretty good. But the broth was kinda bland and I couldn't really get over the bell peppers. So I ate all the seafood and about half the noodles and called it a day. But not after having my sashimi, which was delicious. Maybe I should have had all sashimi? I'd come back here again and maybe try some other dishes such as the katsu don. I wouldn't order the soup again though.
(3)Beau S.
Can't beat the $1 sushi/$4 roll Mondays! It's a cool joint on 39th and all the sushi chefs are real talkative and nice. Nothing like some raw fish and booze to get the night started.
(4)Penny C.
My husband and I loved it here! It's a quaint little place with a nice atmosphere. The sushi was delicious and we really enjoyed ourselves. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Matt S.
Absolutely delicious combination fried rice and dynamite roll (3 fish medley in spicy sauce). I'll be back!
(4)Kackie C.
Should I mention it? Ah! I have to. I found a hair in my sushi one time. A big, unmistakable one. IN it. Okay, that said, I still go back because, I'm a hairdresser...with a cat. Hair in my food is hardly the end of the world. The food is good. Especially for the price and convenience. They're really fast, the place is super clean, and the service is quick and friendly. Bento boxes are a great deal, and their Monday night and Saturday lunch $3.99 rolls are great, too. I go here because sometimes you're just not in the mood for something heavy, but you're also not in the mood to drop a lot of money. A couple can get in and out for lunch in under $25, all things counted. For that, I'll excuse the tiny foible.
(4)Marselle B.
How is this place getting 4 stars!? I ordered take out the other night. The rice was COLD. WTF.. And my sweet potato roll was just a plain old potato roll (gross!) AND it wasn't even thoroughly cooked potato. I had to crunch through it. I fed the Philly Roll to my dog. It was flavorless, and again, cold rice. I'm new to KC and have been spoiled by Boston sushi for the past year, and I really, really hope there's a good sushi restaurant around, because I will never go here again. I really wanted to like it.
(1)Mary M.
Friends is a great city neighborhood sushi place. It's the kind of meeting/gathering place you would see on Sienfeld or "how I met your mother". There are all walks in here from the well heeled to the uneven keeled and that's what makes it great! The decor is typical Asian, but the cutest little Asian kitty sign with a moving paw is viewable from the host station if you find yourself having to wait for a table... Which has never been more than 15 minutes for me, even on a bustling weekend or Monday night. The servers are great and unflappable, and very patient with questions about the roll contents or sushi textures. I have not tried everything here, but have never had a bad meal. My personal favs are the spicy crab roll, spider roll, white tuna and also the eel. Had it last night and still makes my mouth water thinking of it. If you are a sushi virgin or nubie, go to friends on a Monday, try it out without breaking the bank. You'll be a convert.
(4)becky j.
This is some of the best traditional sushi in KC. It seems like sushi places are coming out of the woodwork with new and trendy ideas for the classic dish (think Nara and RA), which is not a bad thing, but when you are looking for a good, affordable and overall pleasant experience I would recommend Friends. Every time we go the service is fantastic and the food is great. Not only the sushi, but the Bento boxes and home made ramen noodles are fantastic. And for those on a budget, Monday evenings they do half priced sushi! An offer not to be passed!
(5)Jennifer R.
Great bento lunch special. $1 sushi on Monday nights!
(4)Chris F.
$1 sushi night is the highlight of my week. The crunchy spicy salmon roll and salmon nigiri are go-tos. Service is nice and attentive.
(5)Charles P. L.
I have been an avid fan of sushi for many years now, first acquiring the taste as a result of my predilection for all things spicy. Quite honestly then, it was the wasabe that first held my attention. 25+ years later, I am unapologetically, African-American and a lover of sushi, a rare combination perhaps in the Midwest. I happened to visit KC this past Memorial Day weekend and decided for a meal of sushi prior to my return airline trip to Los Angeles. It was a special Daddy-Daughter bonding time as we were the only 2 patrons in the facility on this glorious Memorial Day at about 3 p.m. We were treated like royalty and the food was spectacular and some of the best presentations and taste I have yet to experience in my 25+ years. I am eagerly anticipating a return visit to KC to visit with my daughter. "Friends" will always be part of my itinerary. Stay thirsty my friends.
(5)Emily H.
Great sushi, great prices and have always had good service. Nice cozy atmosphere. Overall really enjoy this place
(4)Kim S.
One of my favorite Japanese places in Kansas City...the bento boxes are my favorite, since I am not that big of a seafood fan. I had the chicken teriyaki lunch one yesterday, and it comes with chicken, rice, eggroll, crab rangoon, soup, and salad all for $7.95. I have been there several times, but just went yesterday and the service was really good, even though I have had less than average service there before. The only thing I don't really like is the miso soup - it's too onion-y for me. But other than that, love this place!
(5)Jocelyn M.
I like the feel of this place. Maybe cause it's called "Friends" and that gives me the warm-fuzzies, or maybe it is the kitty-cat clock. Either way, good sushi, great prices. Monday night is a must.
(4)Eric S.
Friends is the best sushi in KC. Great service and prices...can't be beat. Go for Philly Roll, Rock N Roll, and Lobster Roll.
(5)Ana C.
followed the yelp reviews to this place. Seriously delicious sushi. Easy walk from the Wesport area in a great little business district.
(5)Sarah B.
I came here for lunch with a friend who swears by the place. We got the bento box lunch -- sushi, miso soup and salad. A great value for about $9 plus tip, and the sushi was yummy. My only complaint is that there weren't many vegetarian (aka non-fish) sushi rolls offered -- just a cucumber roll and the tofu skin sushi, which is rice wrapped in a thin layer of tofu. There's so much more you can do with veggie sushi, and I know this place would do a great job with some avocado or red pepper/cream cheese rolls. If you do eat fish, though, you will probably love this place.
(4)Fike D.
I really want to love this place but I think it's just ok. I'm a big fan of sushi and this place is only a couple of minutes away from home. On a side note, why isn't there any good sushi in KC proper? Nara is nice, but the food is just ok. Domo is more my style but still just so-so. The place in westport is forgettable. ooooo well. We used to have a sushi night on monday nights with all of my friends. Mondays are busy, but they are worth it for the special. The more I visited I noticed that the food was inconsistent. Sometime the shrimp tempura was cold or the rolls were HUGE. I do really like some of the dishes that they have like the udon and the mandrin shrimp. I love my local places, just sometimes I wish they were better!
(3)Ryan W.
Never mind the Nay-sayers on this review thread! I have been going to Friend's since it was opened. The owner is friendly and the staff reasonably attentive. The best thing about this place is the bargain sushi presented in an unpretentious way. You can go down the street for overpriced 'fancy' sushi, but what is the point of that? Love their philadelphia and friend's rolls! Monday and Saturday sushi happy hours cannot be beat. If you are looking for a great deal on some delicious sushi, this is the place to go. Best kept secret in 39th West neighborhood!
(5)Nicole H.
Let me start by saying, I easily eat here 3 times a month, but...if it wasn't for the $3.99/$1 special, I probably would very rarely go to Friends. The servers are all quick, friendly, and can really sell just about anything on the menu. The one person at Friends that turns me off is actually, of all people, the owner. I know times are tough and everyone needs to make money and keep people flowing in and out, but she doesn't need to be so obvious about her attempts to get people up and out post meal, like cattle. I have been asked to give up my table 5 minutes after getting the check dropped off (and after waiting 30 minutes for said table). I knew there were a few people waiting, but at least give me some time to finish up dinner conversation and settle the check before kicking me out. My guests and I have also caught her refusing to fill water glasses to keep people moving. Like I said I am a regular and I'll continue to come for the cheap sushi, but I wish someday the owner would respect the people who are coming in enough to earn a little thanking. Especially those of us who tell our friends and, more importantly, bring them in to eat. All that aside, the crunchy spicy salmon rolls are delicious and I always make a point to order the spicy crab asd well. Don't forget to tip the sushi chefs on the way out!
(4)Roy G.
I haven't tried a lot of Sushi places in Kansas City but compared to other places I have tried this one falls into the good enough to go back but nothing to write home about. On my trip in my nephew and I tried a total of 4 rolls and the Salmon "caviar" topped sushi. I laughed a little when seeing that on the menu but had to order. Nearly everywhere else they refer to it as salmon roe not caviar but whatever. Overall It was all good. Tasted fresh and I was pleased not all of their rolls were filled with cream cheese. (sign of a cover for low quality seafood). I was surprised that Friends seems much more casual than most sushi places I have been. The waiter even was wearing jeans. I am fine with that but would dress a little more casually myself if I went back. It is a somewhat small place but the service was quite good. As I said I would go back but I am still looking for that great Sushi place in KC.
(3)Andrea H.
Friends offers large and good-quality bento boxes at reasonable prices, IMO. I've had hit or miss experiences with the sushi, but good enough to still eat there if persuaded. A friend of mine swears by their sweet shrimp (crunchy eyeballs and all). So that might be worth a try. I have not tried any of the noodle dishes. The dining room is one of the smallish storefronts along 39th St, so it's a good place for groups of two to five. I wouldn't want to try to fit in more than five. The sushi bar is low, but fairly roomy. The service is occasionally spotty, depending on how busy the dining room is, but OK overall. When Friends first opened there was a lag in obtaining a liquor license, but that was rectified long ago. A pleasant place for dinner for two, three, or four. The dining room is usually fairly quiet on weeknights.
(3)Brian T.
I went here for dinner tonight. It was $1 Monday so the price was right. However, I thought the sushi was great. The pieces were good size and tasted very fresh. I wasn't crazy about the rolls. I had a California and Tuna roll. I forced myself to finish them. Overall, even the sushi at normal price $5 for two pieces would be good. I thought it was better than Matsu in Westport by far.
(4)Brenna O.
I love, love, LOVE Friends Sushi and Bento Place. This was our first experience with bento boxes, and now we hold everywhere else to their high standard. The ginger dressing they use on their salads is delicious, and I like everything they have to offer. The salmon teriyaki has been a little less flavorful the last couple times we've been there, but I'm hoping that was just a hiccup and everything else is still great. Their sushi is always fresh and tasty, and both their miso and onion soup are yummy. If you live in the Westport area I say take that extra few minutes to drive down to 39th street and go to Friends instead of anywhere else. I hope that you won't be disappointed!
(5)Helen G.
Who can say no to $1 sushi?? Well I guess I can...after eating here every Monday for about a month straight I had to take a break. Overall it's cheat and a fun thing to do with friends. I've had better sushi in the area but if you're looking for a value...DO IT! Enjoy!
(3)Katie W.
Maybe I'm partial because this place is my neighborhood sushi joint, but I love it. Cute, relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for a laid back date or casual dinner with a few friends. The service is always quick and I appreciate their Saki deals and $1 sushi Monday nights. As far as the sushi itself, I think they do a good job. And you definitely can't complain about the price.
(4)Jenn D.
The only reason why we eat here is because it is cheap. Point blank. On Mondays they have $1 sushi and other specials, so my gf and I can stuff ourselves for around $20. The service is good, too. I am kind of wary of eating here much anymore because I am a true believer of "you get what you pay for," and last week I felt a bit nauseous afterwards.
(3)Sean O.
I always just get takeout sushi here when I'm in town. Sometime maybe I'll stop in and sit down. The sushi quality is really great, especially for landlocked Kansas City. The price is not bad either!
(4)Hm H.
The customer service was excellent for right before close. The steak from Teriyaki Steak tasted a little rancid. Presentation = 100%. Customer Service = 100% Teriyaki Steak = 20%
(2)Lyndsey M.
For me, Friends is hit or miss. I really love the Friends Yakatori bento box and edamame. The sushi is okay, but I did get some salmon that wasn't the freshest. The thing that bothers me a bit is that there seemed to be alot of traffic behind the sushi bar. The servers would go back there frequently and assist the chef, after they had been handling dishes or other items and without washing up. This may be nit-picking, but it really turned me off of the place.
(2)