Sushi X

I searched and searched for anything in regards to Sushi X, but was not able to find much.

Well, wanted to see if anyone has been and their thoughts. I have been twice with friends and both times have been impressed with their rolls. It's basically fancy maki, I cannot remember if they have nigiri or sushimi, I have had people order for the table both times I have gone. But, I have to say that the rolls were good and filled with dynamic flavors and what some might call designer sushi. Some of the rolls that I would recommend are the Thai Stick, which is made of shrimp, bamboo shoots, green curry, and sweet basil, the Crab Rangoon which had two types of crab, cream cheese, green onion, avocado, and sweet chili sauce, rolled in tempura or flash fried in tempura and the Buddha which is like a monster veggie roll, with green ontions and served with a side of the infamous ginger dressing to dip into.

I have seen a lot of discussion in regards to "designer sushi" vs. the standard/basic original sushi and usually I am on the standard side, but this place is really good and worth a try.

Sushi X
1136 W. Chicago
http://www.sushi-x.net/

I literally lived next door to Sushi X for the first couple years after it opened. We would make a trip to Mirai, Naniwa, Bob-san or essentially anywhere else when we wanted Sushi. Found the offerings completely uninsipred and overpriced. Also, no Nigiri....always found that weird. I have a friend that says a spicy tuna roll is the lowest common denomenator by which to judge all sushi restaurants. I dont know that i necessarily agree with this statement in its entirety, but apples to apples the spicy tuna roll here is boring and that is how i found most everything else....They do play lots of cool Japenese cartoons inside the bunker if you eat in...otherwise this is a skip IMHO

This is not a place for sushi purists, but for kind of weird neo-American rolls, I really liked it. Absolutely everything seems to have a variety of wasabi mayo/spicy mayo/just-plain-old mayo on it, but they have a sushi chef who actually knows what flavors go together, so it's deserving of a taste. They also have a really good staff, and they'll take stuff back if it's not to your taste in my experience.

The Thai Stick is really good (as an above poster mentioned). I also like the Yellow Jacket. There's something about mango and avocado together in a roll that is really novel to me. And exactly why this is the wrong place for a good percentage of the board. Also, the plating is the coolest I've ever seen at a sushi restaurant.

My recollection is that value is pretty bad at this place. They use good quality fish, but individual rolls seemed to be >$10. Rolls seem to be about 10-12 pieces, width of a silver dollar, about an inch deep. So in a group of any less than about 4 sharing, you can't get good variety for a reasonable price. I have a friend who swears by the place, though, because it's BYOB.

Sushi-X was supposedly founded by a few former Sushi Wabi people. Their menu is more or less a blatant grab from Sushi Wabi, but everything is smaller and gooped in sauce. They have some other rolls that seem to just be weird for the sake of weird. Their prices seem pretty reasonable for city sushi, but extras (such as avocado or cucumber) are all more expensive then they should be.

They are located in a former flower shop, and have very little room for seating. Once thing I always found disconcerting about it was that the space is so small, they have no room for a sushi bar and as such all sushi is made in the kitchen, and not out in the open.

I've been a fan of Sushi X for a couple of years now, not because I've ever been there, but because I work down town and have had lunch delivered from there.

If you are looking for a good delivery option in the loop, it hits the spot. As mentioned before, sushi purists are probably not going to like the menu (lots of sauces, mayo, etc) but the sushi is fresh, and it's nice to have something different as a lunch option. The also have a good vegitarian maki selection (I work with vegans) and the food is packaged and delivered beautifully.

I think Sushi X has a very good spicy tuna roll. It has a nice amount of kick. I'm also a fan of their double stack and veggie tempura rolls. We get take-out from Sushi X when we want sushi, but don't feel up to paying for Coast. It's not the most awesome sushi, and you can only get rolls, but it's always decent.

Walking by the new Diversey location of Sushi X tonight a woman ran outside to give me a menu. Here's one of their offerings that caught my eye:

five-o roll - Bacon, hamachi, avocado, cilantro, scallions, pineapple mustard mayo, rolled in bacon bits, wrapped in prosciutto

I...I...I don't even know what to say about that. But I think I just threw up in my mouth.

jesteinf wrote:Walking by the new Diversey location of Sushi X tonight a woman ran outside to give me a menu. Here's one of their offerings that caught my eye:

five-o roll - Bacon, hamachi, avocado, cilantro, scallions, pineapple mustard mayo, rolled in bacon bits, wrapped in prosciutto

I...I...I don't even know what to say about that. But I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Why did they even include the fish?

Where is the Diversey location? We live near Diversey and Sheffield and haven't noticed it in our normal "rounds."

(Not seeing it on Sushi X's website either.)

It's at 543 W Diversey, in the strip of shops across from the AT&T store.

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants ... 21/content

Thanks, Ralph. I have to say (usual metromix caveats taken into account) that it looks like a welcome improvement to a dismal eating neighborhood. There are two ways to evaluate Sushi X, it seems to me--as a sushi restaurant, and as a restaurant that serves good food in enjoyable surroundings. As a sushi restaurant, it apparently fails, in the opinion of some of our sushi mavens here. But as a good place to go out to eat, it looks like it might be the best thing to happen to that stretch of Diversey--hell, Diversey all the way to the Kennedy--in a long time.

riddlemay wrote:Thanks, Ralph. I have to say (usual metromix caveats taken into account) that it looks like a welcome improvement to a dismal eating neighborhood. There are two ways to evaluate Sushi X, it seems to me--as a sushi restaurant, and as a restaurant that serves good food in enjoyable surroundings. As a sushi restaurant, it apparently fails, in the opinion of some of our sushi mavens here. But as a good place to go out to eat, it looks like it might be the best thing to happen to that stretch of Diversey--hell, Diversey all the way to the Kennedy--in a long time.

OK, you try it and let me know

I think I've decided the best option for sushi in the immediate neighborhood is Ponzu, which is on Clark just north of Fullerton. Nothing at Katsu or Mirai level, but a more than respectable neighborhood joint.

jesteinf wrote:OK, you try it and let me know

I think I've decided the best option for sushi in the immediate neighborhood is Ponzu, which is on Clark just north of Fullerton. Nothing at Katsu or Mirai level, but a more than respectable neighborhood joint.

Good to know about Ponzu, Josh. Thanks for the tip.

(By the way, I didn't mean there were no good places to eat within a few blocks north or south of Diversey along Diversey's entire length. But if we're just talking about the street itself, it might be single worst street for restaurants in the city! Since it is the nearest major east-west street to my house, that is a tragedy. )

riddlemay wrote:(By the way, I didn't mean there were no good places to eat within a few blocks north or south of Diversey along Diversey's entire length. But if we're just talking about the street itself, it might be single worst street for restaurants in the city! Since it is the nearest major east-west street to my house, that is a tragedy. )

Totally agree, it's a disgrace. That Satay place under the El is foul. Brunch at Duffy's used to be better than it needed to be, but was pretty awful as of last summer. The Grove (in the old Granny's space) isn't bad for diner food. Half Shell is probably the only standout place, but I really only like going there in the summer when I can sit outside.

Having not tried the new Sushi X yet, I'd have to agree that Half Shell is the only place worth a stop on the entire street. Satay really is horrible.

Given that it's owned by the same folks as Sticky Rice, I have high hopes for Miss Asia if it ever ends up opening.

Hi,
I recently received a gift certificate for this place. Is it worth me schlepping into the city? I did see some posts at Yelp.
Thanks in advance.

If you like your sushi from a place where (a) you can't order sashimi or nigiri, and (b) there is no sushi bar in evidence, then maybe it's worth a trip in for you. I tend to think of it as a sushi restaurant for people who don't like sushi. If you're in the mood for maki and particularly large maki of the type that has a heavy hand with mayo, sauces, cream cheese and the like, then perhaps it would be a good choice for you.

Depends how you feel about eating something like this (all quotes from the Sushi X menu):

Pollo Loco roll - panko-crusted chicken, lettuce, avocado, jalapeno daikon sprouts, spicy mayo, cilantro, red sauce

or this:

Five-O role - bacon, hamachi, avocado, cilantro, scallions, pineapple mustard mayo, rolled in bacon, bits, wrapped with proscuitto

This place is literally around the corner from my condo and I won't make the schlep. Oh, (as Matt has pointed out) there's no actual sushi bar either.

wow does that Five-O roll sound disgusting.

Three kinds of bacon and it still sounds bad, that is truly a terrible accomplishment.

However, I'd eat the first one, imagining it as a decent McWrap.

jesteinf wrote:Depends how you feel about eating something like this (all quotes from the Sushi X menu):

Pollo Loco roll - panko-crusted chicken, lettuce, avocado, jalapeno daikon sprouts, spicy mayo, cilantro, red sauce

or this:

Five-O role - bacon, hamachi, avocado, cilantro, scallions, pineapple mustard mayo, rolled in bacon, bits, wrapped with proscuitto

This place is literally around the corner from my condo and I won't make the schlep. Oh, (as Matt has pointed out) there's no actual sushi bar either.

Yeah, I saw the online menu. It kind of freaked me out. On the other hand, it's a free meal.

I was thinking of stopping by there on the way to Zoo Lights. Usually we hit RJ Grunts before the zoo. I think I need to consult with The Wife on this one.

If you want sushi and you're going to the zoo, I would recommend Ponzu. It won't be free, but it will be a million times better than the "sushi" at Sushi X.

Ponzu
2407 N Clark St
(773) 549-8890

jesteinf wrote:If you want sushi and you're going to the zoo, I would recommend Ponzu. It won't be free, but it will be a million times better than the "sushi" at Sushi X.

Ponzu
2407 N Clark St
(773) 549-8890

Thank you for the tip. The only reason I want sushi in the neighborhood is because I have the gift certificate.

Dave148 -

You've got a gift cert. Come on, isn't your interest picqued? I'd HAVE to go and take one for the team / satisfy the curiousty. I'm kinda curiously sick like that tho. That five o really sounds atrocious. I'd go, and order a few fashion rolls just for the humor of it. Bet you see / hear some interesting ppl too - you know the kind who think they are out for an exotic dinner?

seebee wrote:Dave148 -

You've got a gift cert. Come on, isn't your interest picqued? I'd HAVE to go and take one for the team / satisfy the curiousty. I'm kinda curiously sick like that tho. That five o really sounds atrocious. I'd go, and order a few fashion rolls just for the humor of it. Bet you see / hear some interesting ppl too - you know the kind who think they are out for an exotic dinner?

It sounds like I'm being requested to be the Official LTHforum Guinea Pig for this place. Besides the free meal, anyone else care to offer a bribe?

If you're okay with maki, then it's fine.

If you decide to go, try the double stack and the yellow jacket rolls.

If not, feel free to mail me the certificate.

I think if you set your expectations appropriately and order wisely, I'm sure you could have a perfectly adequate experience there. And adequate at that price point (i.e., free) seems okay to me, especially if you don't adjust for the opportunity cost of having missed out on a potentially excellent meal elsewhere (which may vary depending on how often you "schlep" into the city for meals). If you go in looking for some rolls that generally approximate sushi and maybe some vaguely Asian-ish sides/appetizers, what the hell? Not a lot to lose. Just don't go in expecting to have a traditional sushi experience or one where the fish is the star of the show.

Of course, I've never been there, so don't hold me accountable if you go for the Pollo Loco or Five-0 roll or some similar travesty and end up in therapy because of it.

Wow Josh,

you really really hate that five-o roll huh?

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=15817&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=14480&p=208398

Han wrote:Wow Josh,

you really really hate that five-o roll huh?

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=15817&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=14480&p=208398

Weird - before my original post, I did a search for Sushi X and struck out.

Han wrote:Wow Josh,

you really really hate that five-o roll huh?

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... &sk=t&sd=a

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 0&p=208398

It's an abomination that must be stopped!