All you can eat sushi for $22.95!

I must admit, I am not a big fan of “all you can eat” restaurants.  Usually the food is average at best, and the experience becomes an exercise in gluttony.  Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for this type of night out, it just is not often for me.  When it was suggested we try an “all you can eat” sushi place, I was hesitant and skeptical.

Upon arrival at Ichiban, I immediately noticed the crowded parking lot and restaurant.  A good sign, I think. Entering the restaurant, we could see a large sushi bar in the middle of the room with tables on three sides of the sushi bar all filled and plenty of activity.

The menu offers a range of soups, salads, appetizers, noodle and rice dishes, sashimi, and of course, sushi.  All items can be ordered “al la carte” or you can try the “all you can eat” sushi which includes miso soup, green salad, a selection of cooked appetizers, and sushi.  We chose the “all you can eat” option which included the following:

Shrimp Tempura Roll:  Shrimp tempura and avocado wrapped inside with sesame seeds on top.  $5.50
Smoked Salmon Roll:  Smoked salmon, cucumber and avocado wrapped inside with sesame seeds on top.  $5.25
Alaska Roll:  Salmon avocado and cucumber inside, masago on top.  $5.50
Sarasota Roll:  Tempura shrimp inside, lobster spread and eel sauce on top.  $10.95
Dynamite Roll:  Yellow tail tuna and wasabi mayo sauce inside, sesame seeds on top.  $5.50
Super Crunchy:  Tempura shrimp wrapped inside with smoked salmon on top.  $8.95
NY Roll:  Salmon, white tuna and avocado and mayo wrapped inside with masago on top.  $6.25
Mexican Roll:  Shrimp tempura, avocado and mayo wrapped inside, with masago on top.  $7.95
TGIF Roll:  Tuna, shrimp, avocado and scallions inside, tempura fish and mayo on top.  $8.95
Phoenix:  Tempura shrimp inside topped with spicy tuna.  $10.25
Wahoo:  $3.75
Hamachi:  $4.25
Snapper:  $4.25
Squid:  $4.25
Octopus:  $4.25
Salmon:  $3.75
Tuna:  $4.25
Shrimp:  $3.50

Although the sushi is not as artistically plated as other spots, it was fresh and served in smaller sized portions. Think, sushi fast food, but understand service can be slow due to the nature of the preparation and the size of the dining crowd.  Ichiban has an adequate selection of imported and domestic beer and wine to accompany your meal.

The prices above reflect the al la carte pricing.  The all you can eat pricing is $22.95 or cash discount $21.95. There is a $1.10/ piece charge for leftovers.

Ichiban Restaurant and Sushi Bar is not your typical Japanese restaurant.  High quantity sushi production, waiters and waitresses moving back and forth between the sushi bar and the tables, diners coming and going, a bevy of activity; that is Ichiban Restaurant and Sushi Bar.  Even though I remain a non-fan of “all you can eat” spots, I would recommend Ichiban to those who want large quantities of good sushi at a value oriented price.

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