This makes me sad, but Dotombori just earned a very bad review. Every time my wife and I have been here in the past, we have had a fantastic experience, and some of the best sushi we've ever had. I have raved about how awesome this place is for years. But this time, horrible. I made a reservation the day before (for 2), and we arrived on time and were seated promptly. We placed our order, and then the waiting began. We waited. And waited. After about 20 minutes, our drinks and appetizer arrived. And that was it. FOR AN HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES WE WAITED, all the while watching to-go order after to-go order go out the door. No one checked on us, no one offered an apology, no one let us know what was going on or how much longer we'd be waiting. WHY WOULD YOU TREAT YOUR PAYING CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS??? Finally, my wife couldn't take it any more, and stood up and walked over to one of the servers. She asked how much longer we could expect to wait, at which point all the servers got together and COULDN'T EVEN FIND OUR TICKET AMONG THE ORDERS. No kidding. At that point, we were out of there, having wasted nearly an hour and a half for nothing. WHY WOULD YOU TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS WHO MADE A RESERVATION AND CAME TO YOUR RESTAURANT LIKE THIS??? I can totally understand if you're busy, I get it. But maybe hold off on the to-go orders and take care of the customers you already have first? Maybe check on them... at least once?!? Maybe apologize?? Very disappointed - a terrible experience. read more

Attentive service by Stella. Smoked salmon sushimi thick cut was delicious. Usually have thin sliced but liked this much better. A very casual atmosphere which I loved. Also recommend the tempura combo. Happy hour was a plus! read more

Dotombori - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

We got takeout from them last night. Great bento box items as well as high quality nigiri. The sweet shrimp was the best I've had recently and it comes with the fried heads on the side :) read more

Dotombori - A great takeout meal! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

This a great place to eat sushi, but what I like the most is the fried rice mixed with chicken and steak. The service is very friendly. They go out of their way to satisfy. I have been coming here for 7 years and will keep coming here for my sushi. Unfortunately Des Plaines doesnt have too many good restaurants. : ( read more

Excellence. I wouldn't normally review a sushi joint and recommend you go out of your way to eat their product but in the case of Dotombori, I would recommend you stop in for some rolls. Do it. Des Plaines you say? Sushi? I know, a little blip on the map. Unless you are parking here for the train, severely lost or randomly passing through on your way to one of the neighboring towns - consider visiting here for some lunch or dinner. My wife and I have been stuck here in corporate housing and happened upon this place out of shear desperation. We figured the local praises were warranted given the lack of sushi in the area. None of that matters. This place is legit and boasts some rolls/flavor combinations I have never seen - let alone tried. Super tasty. Super affordable. Super quick. The owner is the sweetest little old lady and makes an effort to remember your name and treat you as if you were a visitor in her house. Every time. If I had to recommend one favorite roll it would be the Mango Gaga. A tiny dip in some soy sauce gives this roll the best sweet, sour and umami flavor. Also, the large beers that make me happy as there arent many options for dinner in Des Plaines that also serve alcohol. read more

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My husband and I decided to celebrate New Year's Eve here. Our favorite sushi place had closed after the chef retired so this was our first time here. We tried different places but were never that impressed since we were spoiled from our former place. It was a wonderful feast. We had the hamachi Kama that was delicious. We ordered tako su, various nigiri pieces and two rolls - spider and the unusual Angry Bulls. Everything was fresh and beautifully presented. The Angry Bulls roll is made with marinated beef wrapped around cucumber, then a layer of rice, then topped with spicy tuna. Each piece had a thin slice of jalapeño with tobinko on top. They alternated each piece with red and black tobinko. We'd never had meat in a roll but the combination of flavors and the tenderness of the meat was perfect. Osinko provided a tangy veggie with all. They even have Kurasawa sake which was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. Service was polite and quick, despite being busy with carry out orders and dine in patrons. Prices are very reasonable. This is our new sushi spot. Thank you for making our New Year's Eve dinner so special! read more

What an absolute gem! I ordered for two, but it was just me :) Miso and house salad to start. They have the perfect blend of dressing and they do a great job of coating the lettuce. The miso was very flavorful, lots of tofu and seaweed. Main course was sushi and sashimi dinner and I upgraded to the Hawaiian roll. Best decision ever, as that roll made my top three favorites, immediately. The place was busy, luckily I found a spot at the bar, and watched as the chefs prepped each dish. Such skill and care went into each plate and it's presentation. The flavors were a perfect blend. Mango, a light amount of heat (before I added wasabi) and a bright freshness to the Roll made it a palate pleaser. Tea was always filled, staff was courteous. This is how sushi should be. read more

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Great Sushi. Definitely one of the best I've ever had, if not the best. It's a smaller place but the vibe in there is great. Very friendly staff and great food. If you've never been then give it a try. read more

Great option for the suburbs. It is really cute inside and I've always had really great service. I mostly end up at Dotombori for their lunch special. You can pick any two rolls for around $9! Although the selection is kind of limited at lunch, I never have a problem finding something delicious. I typically order the shrimp tempura rolls, which are nice and crispy with a delicious mayo on top. Just writing this review is making me crave it! Have to wait till the next time I'm home for lunch during the week. It's good to know there is a great sushi option so close to home! read more

Dotombori - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

I have been back twice since my initial visit. Service was much quicker and the sushi was fresh, unique and delicious as always. I am in love with the White Dragon, OMG and Holey Moley rolls. I recommend sauce on the side if you're picky about too much sauce. Wish they had seaweed or cucumber salad on the happy hour menu, but maybe next time ;) Still giving those misc food receipts, but maybe some day they will catch up with technology and also allow access to their "Free Wi-Fi." All griping aside, this is the BEST restaurant I've been to in Des Plaines. Finally a place to take my city friends! read more

Dotombori has become our go to Japanese restaurant since moving to Des Plaines. We've enjoyed their Udon and Ramen soups, and found their entrees to be well spiced and satisfying, particularly the teriyaki dishes. We favor the tempura batter on everything, and find the maki rolls tasty and fresh. Surprisingly the little salads and miso soup that come with the entrees are particularly good, which is nice because those a usually a toss up at other places. Oh, and the fried rice is divine, complex and multi-dimensional. Hints of ginger and garlic. Savory, but with bits of chicken and vegetables with an actual fried flavor to it. Not like most places who just heat it all up in a pan. No gummy fried rice here! Each kernel is separate and seasoned. My 6 year old always has the fried rice, and since he often doesn't finish, the rest of us (me) get to dig in! They pay attention to detail here...and it shows. read more

I was introduced to this location a couple of years ago and just as I have, everyone I have brought to this place, has fallen in love with it as well. The rolls are as good as they can get. From the Oh-My-God roll to the one with the slices of strawberries, and blackberry on top. It all melts in your mouth. The chef experiments all the time and there are rolls that are not on the menu - he has hung pictures of his new creations above his station. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even ask them to have the chef surprise you with one of his current masterpieces. All the rolls are a work of art as they are scrumptious. Looking from the outside, you're not sure what to think of this place because it looks very old-school, not loungey, like most sushi places nowadays. The servers are super friendly and courteous. If you are in need of a compliment and a smile, this is the place to go to after a rough day. No disappointments here other than I wish I lived closer to go more often! read more

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Food was good -- wait staff not able to handle when only 3/4 full. Also it's Korean not Japanese. Been having a hard time finding a true Japanese restaurant in Chicago. read more

Been a long time since I was here last. It was very good then, let's see how they do for takeout. Ordered the shrimp tempura, sake bomb, red dragon with no cucumber( Wife hates it), tuna roll, and tamago. Almost of all of this is on the Happy Hour menu All the food was very yummy! Even after the 15 minuet drive home. Next visit will not be so far away! read more

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Got takeout after work, their happy hour pricing from 5-6pm is great (4 rolls for $36)! The sushi was fresh and plentiful (no skimping!) and my favorite is the Wasabi Tuna roll. The 4 rolls were enough for two hungry ppl. Service was very friendly and interior clean. I shall certainly be back! read more

Dotombori - Favorites are wasabi tuna, downtown fire and kamikaze roll! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

In case you didn't know, Des Plaines is not exactly brimming with to die for food establishments. So really, when you are in the area, its best not to get your hopes up, and we won't have any problems ! Anyway, after living here most of my life, I've learned to venture out of town towards the city for sushi places because if places like Todai is what some people consider "good" than I don't want to know what "bad" is! With that said, its definitely a postive note that Des Plaines now has a sushi establishment. Excited to give Dotombori a try, I stopped in to find a cute little restaurant that seats about 10 tables not including the sushi bar. I ordered a couple rolls to go- the Las Vegas roll and a Rainbow roll. The place was more than half full but I got my rolls in a jiffy. While the rolls were nothing out of the ordinary they did satisfy my sushi craving- but for a price- $20 to be exact. A tad pricey in my opinion considering the rolls did not really have that wow factor. They did have some lunch options and sushi dinners that I might consider for the next time. Overall, not bad but not great BUT I'll defintely consider this place over Todai..just sayin... read more

Dotombori - Rainbow & Las Vegas Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Dotombori is truly a delight! Ordered takeout for our weekly date night, and it was amazing. Due to COVID they're now only open for carry-out, which really doesn't take from the quality, freshness and flavor of Dotombori's sushi and food! We ordered some things off the Happy Hour Menu (mango gaga roll, kimikazi roll, heart attack appetizer, tempura combo appetizer, and two spicy ramen with the chicken katsu! Everything was ABSOLUTELY delicious! The tempura and chicken katsu were crunchy! Also, this is the freshest sushi I've had in the area. If you're in the mood for good sushi, give Dotombori a try. This spot is best in the area for options and sushi taste, also good on the wallet! Will be coming back for more! read more

Cozy sushi restaurant in downtown Des Plaines. They have lunch specials (usual suspects: bento boxes, sushi/roll sets, and special rolls). This isn't a place I'd go out of my way for a meal, but it is a solid choice if you want sushi and are in the neighborhood. The people working there are very friendly and nice - they even ask you want to split the bill, if you come with a group of friends. read more

The absolute best sushi spot in town, a bit pricey but the quality and freshness is well worth it. The best California roll I've ever had and I'm in love w the crazy boy!! It's sooo good!! The staff is very sweet as well and the establishment is cute and cozy. Perfect for a romantic date or business dinner! read more

Very good Japanese restaurant in downtown Des Plaines, better than you would expect in Des Plaines. Traditional Japanese menu with all the stand-bys, plus some Korean dishes and specialty rolls. I had a deluxe bento box (with your choice of entree and roll) and started with agedashi tofu. The agedashi, deep fried blocks of tofu was great and I was pleased with the bento box, which was huge. The bento started with miso soup and a salad. Both were standard Japanese restaurant fare, not bad but not special. The bento box i coed five pieces of tempura, including one shrimp. Tempura was very good, healthy size veggies that were fried perfectly. I found the tempura sauce a tad bland. The box also had bulgogi (my choice of entree), which I thoroughly enjoyed but was more like beef teriyaki than traditional bulgogi. It also had good veggies. I was pretty full by this time when my huge kamikaze roll arrived (spicy tuna with regular tuna). The fish was very good, fresh and plentiful. I do wish I could have picked from any roll on the menu, they were all around the same price, but it delivered. Overall a very good meal. read more

My friend and I went here for dinner on a Friday night. Our waitress was a delightful woman. She took our order and when I tried to order egg fried rice she said they didn't have it so I just asked for plain. When our food did come out she brought me egg fried rice. She said they were kinda slow so the chef was able to make it for me. Very thoughtful. When she brought out our food she made sure to organize the plates in a pleasing manner. She got my fried rice all set up and told me that I needed to take a picture of it and said, "Smile Fried Rice" That made me laugh haha. Atmosphere- Pretty typical of a sushi place Staff- Very attentive and pretty humorous, one made me laugh a lot. Food- Very good all around Edamame- Top notch- very fresh and well salted Caterpillar roll- Great roll, loved every bit of it California roll- Also another great roll Egg Fried Rice- Rice was ok, I ate it all, I added some soy sauce to spruce it up a bit. Overall great place, I will be back if in the area. read more

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I've been missing going here. Since the pandemic, they were not able to be open until now. While other restaurants are in almost 50% capacity and some at 75%, Dotombori remains order and pick up to go only. Bento boxes are still always good. The sushi and shashimis are well made and fresh, never watery. A quality Japanese style food. An amazing place in a small downtown suburban area. read more

Just a good authentic place to get some food, I have been here several times and they are always nice and food is always consistent!

The absolute best sushi in the northwest suburbs. The staff & preparers are so friendly you feel like family. Been coming here for years & never anything less than perfection. Now with the pandemic I've been carrying out. Nothing has changed. The staff is still friendly & the sushi & rolls are exquisite. There is no way to recommend this place more enthusiastically. read more

I don't give very many 5's. this place was great. I recommend the oh my g-d roll, the lobster roll that's not on the menu, and I can't remember the last one. Everything was great. Service was a bit slow even tho they weren't busy, the food made up for it. Even their green tea was delicious with sprinkles of brown rice on top. read more

Dotombori - New lobster roll. Not on the menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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My local sushi place I'm so happy they're open again for dine-in! The best service and amazing food. Their chirashi bowl is my go to, every fish tastes amazing, my partner gets the curry or ramen and everything is always delicious. High quality service, food and ambience. Keep up the good work! read more

Dotombori - Chirashi bowl in the foreground, edamame in the middle and curry rice in the back. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Great happy hour specials (5PM on Fridays!) with menu that will satisfy the picky eaters. Get here at 5PM or you might have a hard time finding a seat for a larger (4+) groups. I ordered bulgogi kimbap and nigiri deluxe which came with 12 pieces of sushi and along with large Sapporo beer, I was filled to the brim son! I definitely see myself coming here often, can't beat the price and quality. Great gem! read more

Dotombori is such a unique experience! I ordered the Dotombori roll, and it came out, wrapped in foil on a bed of rocks, inflamed. How awesome is that?? The roll was also spot on when it came to taste. My friend and I also received Tuna Tartare with Taro chips on the house! Needless to say, the service was fantastic! read more

Dotombori - My sushi's on fire!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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I visit here more often for lunch then dinner, but you won't be disappointed when you do. The staff are awesome and way friendly. They are very attentive and make sure you are happy with what you ordered. Especially the waitress name Mary, she is very friendly and hospitable. I normally get the spicy ramen during lunch. I expected a small bowl when I first ordered this but to my surprise it was HUGE. It's defiantly better then cup ramen and stove top. Bento boxes are yummy too. I also have had their sushi and nigiri, the fist is always fresh and tasty. So far no upsets for me. :) They also have a little rewards card that they sign and get free items off the menu after every visit. Which is a plus! read more

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The service was great, they were accommodating to our group of 6. Our group ordered a variety of different rolls including the mango salmon. We had a couple of vegetarians who were very satisfied with their rolls-they let you add in other veggie a like avocado and crunch bits. I recommend coming here for a local good sushi joint. read more

Dotombori - Sapporo beer - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Ordered carry out last night as we had a taste for sushi. Our favorite roll was the crunchy crab roll and we also enjoyed the beef bulgogi. The rice was cooked perfectly and the meat and veggies were tasty! The tuna and salmon sashimi were also tasty and generously sized pieces of fish. Please continue to support local during these difficult times! read more

Amazing service and really nice staff. Best sweet potato rolls too! Personally didn't love their Snowball appetizer, crab ragoons would have been better! read more

The staff is always friendly and the Chicken Katsu Curry is the best curry I've personally had.

My families new favorite Sushi spot. The sushi is very fresh and the menu has so many choices. There is something for everyone. My favorite are all the rolls with Mango. Delicious. read more

Great place to go for decent Japanese food. Lunch options are great and better value than dinner options but everything is reasonably priced in general. Service has always be spectacular. They have always treated us very well and the food comes out quickly as well. Highly recommend! read more

Wow as soon as you walked in, you know it's going to be authentic! It's small, intimate feel is great! They have SO MANY rolls that it's impossible to pick just one. We ordered the white tuna roll and Las Vegas, both were fresh and delicious! They also have a lunch menu which is great and decently priced at $8.99. For that I had the Ramen and 5 sushi pcs. So good! read more

Dotombori - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Can't believe Mary was let go! That lady was the joy and sunshine of your resturant! Knew our order before we had to tell her! Made suggestions on things we would like. Never a smile or meaningful acknowledgement from the owner. Your resturant will never be a welcoming resturant! Mary greeted everyone one like they were family! My family and there are 11 of in total besides the friends we brought there will never walk through your door again! My in-laws and I are appalled at your behavior ! Good luck to the chefs and Glo we will miss you!! read more

I have been getting sushi from here for years now. Love the variety they have for non-veg and veg sushi! One of my favs is the Yum Yum Roll. They have a great happy hour menu that is so worth trying out. The place is cozy and beautiful. Staff is attentive and nice. Never have I waited for too long for my food here. Appetizers, sushi, noodles, and drinks are wonderful here! read more

My go-to sushi place near DP! I've been coming here for 5 years and they've never let me down! They're all awesome and everything is fresh and made in a timely manner. It's a great locally owned sushi shop! read more

Second time at Dotombori and was as great as the first. Got the sushi boat and every item on it was delicious. Nigiri was also really well done. Sometimes the quality of the nigiri is neglected when you get large quantities, but that was definitely not the case here. Service was top class as always too. I make it a point to stop by every time I'm in the area for the great sushi and casual atmosphere. Bonus points for being right next to a metra station. read more