I think Hibachi and Sushi Express may suffer from trying to do too many things at once:
Firstly, the "express" part of the name led me to believe this might be a "fast food" version of a Sushi place. When you walk in, you'll notice the distinctly familiar layout of a Subway. In fact, most people will assume this is a renovated Subway. As another reviewer noted, it actually was a Quiznos (a sub shop similar to Subway) previously. At any rate, it is a storefront "fast" food place similar to Subway in layout, and the numerous Chinese food strip mall units found all over in style (pictures of menu items above the counter, etc.). The decor is a little more modern though, and some of the pictures of the food look much nicer than your typical Chinese store/unit - actually more like what Quiznos had.
Secondly, the "hibachi" part of the name might lead people to believe this is the "sit around the table and be entertained by the chef throwing eggs in his hat while he cooks your meal" kind of place. On their menu, they even have a picture showing such.
But it's not. There is a single row of flat top grills where they cook hibachi style items. Comparing it to a Subway, this would be the area where you order your food, and the meats and cheese are in one section, the veggies in another, and those sections are grills in this place (I did not get any hibachi/grilled items on this visit).
All of the tables (some higher with stools) are in a layout similar to your basic Subway. The cash register is in the same place, and so is the soda fountain and refrigerator with drinks.
That unused side of the service area in a Subway that faces the front is the thing that's different here - that's where the Sushi Chef prepares sushi, the meats for which are displayed where you can see them from the front. It's also where some of the menu items are pictured up a ceiling level.
Finally, the menu is not "cheap" as the "subway-esque" and "faux-hibachi" feel of the place would lead you to believe. Menu items were the same price range as Ninja, Koi, Nana, etc. Some items were identical in price, others only about $0.50 to $1.00 cheaper.
So it seems like they're trying to run a "real" sit-down wait-service Sushi and Japanese Steakhouse from a price standpoint (and maybe "false advertising standpoint with the image of the chef on the menu). However, they don't have the hibachi tables, chef, waiters, bar, etc. of any of the "dining" type restaurants (note: in most places though the hibachi "show" is an expensive meal, you can usually order hibachi style meals off the menu and this is in the same general price range).
Thus Hibachi and Sushi Express comes off as an over-priced, well-decorated, nicely-plated fast food restaurant.
I will say there were some interesting dishes on the menu that I don't normally see at other places. On this visit I ordered two rolls - Avacado and Sweet Potato. The Sweet Potato was very interesting. It was tempura fried sweet potato like you often get as a side/garnish with a meal, rolled up into the sushi. It was interesting to get a "warm" roll (since the potatoes had just been cooked). The Avacado roll was good, but just basic - Avacado rolled in rice and nori. That's OK, I didn't expect that much - I wanted plain, vegetarian-ish rolls.
I will say that the nori (the seaweed in which sushi is wrapped) was "leathery". I've noticed this at Mall Sushi places too. I think it gets older (sitting out?) and drier and a bit tougher. It wasn't inedible, but is was noticeably less fresh than even Supermarket Sushi.
I agree with another reviewer that this is basically, Mall Sushi. It's a little more artfully presented, you're in a former Subway-type space with prettier furniture, and it's more expensive (my two rolls and a drink came to $9.00 - but I ordered some of the cheaper rolls).
For the price, I'd say, go to Ninja (or Yo-Yo, Koi or Nana, which are all not far away) instead.
If you want something quick (and cheap), stop by Farm Fresh or Harris Teeter (also close by, Farm Fresh being next door) and get some of the prepared Sushi from the seafood section.
Oh, and by the way, much like Subways or strip mall Chinese places, there were only two people working - the Sushi chef and an "order taker". The food was brought to the table, but other than that, no real wait service. Also, the chef had to make my sushi. Had four people walked in at the same time, all wanting Sushi, they'd have to wait a while for him to fix it. I don't think they'll be able to handle "lunch capacity" especially if they're having to run back and forth between the sushi prep area and grill. Maybe there's more staff at lunch and dinner time though (I came in around 1:30 ish).
Would not recommend given the other nearby options. read more
