I’m not a sushi expert. Heck, those supermarket sushi packs are usually pretty good to me.
My daughter Lauren, on the other hand, loves Sugarfish. She swears by it. As of this writing, Sugarfish doesn’t offer discounts, and they don’t have to. They’ve built a loyal following based on quality and consistency.
But this article isn’t about Sugarfish. This article is about Dills Deals.
Panda Inn Pasadena now has a sushi bar. Photo: Panda Inn
Have you noticed? Banners advertising happy hours. BOGO specials. Sushi deals. Yes, you’ve seen them.
It reminds me of the gas wars from many years ago. One gas station drops prices, and the station across the street responds. Only this time it’s spicy tuna rolls and Sapporo Beer instead of unleaded.
Could Pasadena be in the middle of its own Sushi Wars? I think we are.
Just the other day I had lunch at Tomikawa Sushi on Foothill Boulevard with my friend Jesse James Youngblood. Old timers will remember the location as the former Kabuki before Kabuki moved to Colorado Boulevard and San Gabriel Boulevard.
The deal caught my eye immediately: an all-you-can-eat for $23.95, unlimited appetizers, rolls, and premium rolls available only at Tomikawa Pasadena, Monday-Thursday from opening until 3:00 p.m.
Jesse got his money’s worth. Me? I tapped out long before he did.
Yes, they time you. And no, don’t ask for a doggie bag. That’s not the deal. The deal is simple: eat what you can, enjoy yourself and leave room for the next customer.
Was it the best sushi I’ve ever had? I don’t know. As I said, I’m not a sushi expert. But I know value when I see it, and twenty-three bucks for all-you-can-eat lunch certainly got my attention.
The sushi bar at Roku Pasadena. Photo: Roku
Right across from Chiquita Bonita, Haruka Sushi has been advertising happy hour and BOGO specials. Again, I haven’t personally tried every item on the menu, but I appreciate restaurants that understand diners are looking for value.
My friend Shawn Broes reminded me not to forget Sushi Roku. He’s right. I do like their happy hour.
It’s a little more upscale, and you’re not going to confuse it with an all-you-can-eat buffet. But if you hit the right time, you can enjoy premium sushi and cocktails without taking out a second mortgage.
Truth be told, my favorite sushi spot is Kabuki on Colorado. Sure, they raised the price of the Sapporo from $2 to $3.
Gulp.
Maybe it’s Pink, Cindy, Anita and the rest of the servers who know my order before I sit down: one sake, one Sapporo and a large ice water, right around 4 p.m.
Maybe it’s habit. Maybe it’s comfort. Or maybe it’s because the scallop hand roll is very good and I have their Krab salad when I want to be healthy. Notice the “K?” Or maybe it is their red mask club, where you eat sushi to earn sushi?
Then there is Panda Inn. The Pasadena institution recently added a sushi bar and even an omakase experience as part of its stunning remodel.
A Chinese restaurant serving sushi? Maybe twenty years ago that would have seemed strange. Maybe not anymore.
Pasadena diners are adventurous. They want choices. They want value. They want a little bit of everything.
Panda Inn Pasadena now has a sushi bar. Photo: Panda Inn
And Panda Inn, like so many restaurants in town, is adapting.
That’s not strange. That’s smart. And that’s the funny thing about sushi.
Some people chase the freshest uni or the rarest toro. Me? I’m looking for a good deal, friendly faces and a place where they know my name.
I may not know the difference between toro and hamachi. I couldn’t tell you which fish should be served at what temperature or whether the rice was seasoned perfectly.
What I can tell you is this: Pasadena diners have more choices and more deals than they have had in years.
If I missed your favorite sushi spot, help me out. We can always revisit the Sushi Wars.
After all, I’m not an expert.
I’m just Peter Dills, looking for my next Dills Deal.
Related
Discover more from Local News Pasadena
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Dining and Cooking