We were originally looking for Korean BBQ or AYCE sushi and ended up stumbling upon this small, family-owned restuarant. We were on a limited schedule, otherwise we probably would've tried a few more of their "unusual" rolls. We didn't get a chance to ask why it's called Nationals Cafe, however we did ask Lupita next time if we could order half rolls instead of full rolls--which she happily stated would be fine. Even with only about five tables (from what I could tell), service was good. Lupita was friendly, efficient, and attentive. We definitely want to try the Thick Roll (tamago, unagi, avocado, topped with sweet sauce) and the Loma Roll (tempura zucchini, tempura sweet potato, topped with avocado and sweet sauce) the next visit. We ordered several appetizers--edamame, shrimp tempura, and dumplings--along with the Ichiban and Carol rolls. Overall, the food was decent and hit the spot. Hopefully next time we'll have more time to explore more of the menu. read more

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We tried the Sushi Burger! What a neat concept, fried rice as the bun and your choice of the type of sushi meat inside with avacado and cucumbers. It tasted like sushi and we ate it like a burger. The sauces on the side were amazing too!!! read more

National's Cafe - Sushi burger - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

I have to say the AYCE lunch is a better deal to go to. Dinner is like $8.00 more and the food is the same. Walking in I could tell this place has a little different slant on sushi. You'll find more of the non-traditional rolls and appetizers here. The hot sauce is really flowing here. One thing we had here I never saw in any sushi place was this Jalapeno Popper roll. A jalapeno stuffed with cream cheese battered and deep fried and sliced like a roll. Not really want I expected in a sushi place , but I guess it works here. Other more traditional offerings were available, though with that abundance of hot sauce. The dining ambiance is not what I called fine dining, but more a working class vibe ... especially listening to the swearing and cussing from a nearby table. I guess the sushi here is OK, just ask to hold the hot sauce, unless that's your thing. read more

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Another trip and another great experience. Had an al a carte lunch with the hubby.. Hot sake 4 eel and the big river roll 2 eel and 2 yellowtail 2 tuna Everest roll Big rivroll oll Hot sake just because you have too. The portions are just perfect. This place is always busy. We have not gone in there once without it being busy. But that's a great thing. Ordered take out Christmas Eve and it was standing room only. But still had good food and great service even picking up. The place is little, I think 6 tables and 4 bar stools. Buy don't let that deter you from giving them a try. Adding a few new pics read more

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Great lunch place close to my work. Quick service and yummy rolls. San Francisco roll and Carol hand roll were yummy! read more

National's Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

The food is good. The chicken in my Bento box was over cooked. It was expensive. The service was slow.

Not fancy! Service and quality are great. Best in Carson and beyond. Love the halo-poppers!

The sushi was good, service could of been better. Overall I was expecting more variety and better service read more

National's Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

Great sushi, service is slow and the ambiance is tacky. Food is above average for the price.

My friend brought me to this greatest sushi restaurant. It's in a strip of stores on William. I like that it's family owned and operated. They are closed in the weekend for family time. I have no preference about sushi. Everything I've ordered I've enjoyed greatly. I give the National 5 stars! read more

First I wanted to say I didn't get to take many pictures of my experience here. With that said, here's my review on National's cafe! I was invited by my friend to go and have sushi at this restaurant. Having dinner at this pace, was pretty dang good! There were three of us in the group and each selected a few rolls to share. We also ordered about 3 bottles of sake to accompany our long dinner! I will say, the rolls came out and each bite tasted amazing! Fresh, flavourful and very reasonably priced! The rolls tasted fresh and not "fishy" if that makes sense! I did take a pic of the one plate where all the rolls came out. I will apologise as I do not remember which specific rolls we ordered but I do recommend if you're visiting Carson City to give this spot a try! Service was amazing, we were very well attended to by everyone and always service with a smile! Price is super reasonable as sushi could be very expensive. There's a free public parking lot with plenty of space to park. read more

National's Cafe - Rolls!!!! - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

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Teriyaki chicken yay! I like their water and sprite. Their miso soup is also good, but that's it.

Everything was great! Service food ambience went a little bit after 2:00. I suggest all my friends and family go try it out!

Although I heard about National's Sushi from friends, I hadn't been there to eat. I always went to Capital City Sushi but they sold out and the new owners made it a very high end restaurant. So, I called a friend and said let's go try National's sushi for all you can eat lunch. I think the price was very reasonable, $26 with a large assortment of appetizers, rolls, hand rolls, and other things plus dessert. I tried the mussels appetizer which had six deliciously spiced mussels that didn't disappoint. I'm used to having the Lili role so I asked them if they had something like that they said yes it's called the Carol roll and I can tell you it was fabulous... the tempura shrimp was perfectly cooked in the crab on top with the sauce was just as good, if not better than other sushi places. From my next roll, I had the California roll, which did not disappoint and although I was coming to the end of my sushi feast I asked the Chef if he could make me a bagel roll, that's what I called it because it's made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, green onion inside out rice. Since I was getting full, I asked him if he could make it smaller for me and it was perfect. I had a hot cup of tea with it, and although I was looking forward to the green tea ice cream, I had no room left. There were things that I wanted to try on the appetizers like their eggrolls, their miso soup, and a few other things but I wanted to enjoy my rolls so I didn't indulge next time I go back I will have the things I didn't try this time. For those of you who do not eat raw fish such as me they have plenty of options and there's sushi rolls and other choices. If you're not a sushi person, they have special lunch menu where you can get a teriyaki bowl or a few other things. It's not a fancy place, it's a mama papa business, but the service is excellent, and the people are exceptionally friendly and it was very clean .We sat at the counter so that we could talk to them and watch them make sushi which is always fun. I guess you would call this your basic sushi restaurant that happens to be a cut above average, I definitely will recommend this and I will go back again. Just so you know, they have an à la carte menu. If you're not an all you can eat person, and their prices are very reasonable. Give them a try and tell them PJ sent you Ps would have taken photos of the dynamite roll but ate it too quick read more

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Best place in town! Family owned! Great service and most of all amazing food! Always going above expectations! read more

National's Cafe - Honestly best place in town! Family own! Great service! And most of all amazing food! Above expectations always! - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

Sushi was very good. Also enjoyed the mussels. Service was top notch. Hidden in the same shopping center as cracker box and Red Wing Shoes. read more

amazing food and people have been coming for years love this place no other sushi place competes or ever will !!!!

Absolutely AWFUL! The service was horrendous. The waitress barely even talked to us. When she brought us our plates & water, she didn't say anything & set them down roughly (so much so that our water actually sloshed out of the cups). Our table was sticky & there was food on the floor. I'm not sure why we stayed at this point, but we did. When the sushi came, it looked ok, but it was so bland! We tried 4 different rolls & they all tasted the same.... Totally bland. We ordered some mussels that were so chewy, I couldn't even eat them. My husband & I both wound up sick that night. I can't believe how many people like this place. We will NOT be going back. read more

I have been going to Nationals since they opened many years ago, love the food. I would give them 10 stars if I could

Antonio - I asked him to hit me with all you can eat, chef's choice. He nailed it!!!!! Looking forward to our next visit!! read more

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This is my updated review. In the past 2 months we visited the old Kim Lee Sushi now Capital City Sushi and Kei Sushi. Other than Nationals Restaurant other Carson Sushi restaurants are not worth patronizing or reviewing. Nationals Sushi totally blows the competition away. We will not return to Kei or Capital City. My pictures capture the care, artistry, quality and portion sizes. read more

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Our daughter in law was visiting and wanted to go out to Sushi, we normally go to another place but they are closed on Wednesdays. So we decided to go to National. As we entered the restaurant it is very small. The workers just looked at us but did nothing. So we said just sit anywhere? They just shook their heads yes. So the table was dirty and uneven. So you rest your hands on the table and it's wobbles. To the food. The rice rolls are so large and extremely small amounts of fish. You can't fit them in your mouth. They fill you up with rice so you eat less. Maybe some people like that but we go to Oishi sushi and their rice rolls are small and normal size amounts of fish. So for me we will not go back. read more

I have been a patron of them since their old location and the most important thing I can say is they are consistent. The food is always good and fresh tasting and the service quality always gives you that hometown feel. But I have recently discovered a new product of theirs, "the sushi burrito." Now most sushi lovers have tried these before but now you can get your favorite local rolls jumbo sized to go. Choose your roll carefully because too much of one thing maybe not what you want. I suggest a roll with a lot of verity in it. Pics below are of my favorite roll the "Lupita" and it was just right. I did see a review that mentioned the rice to fish ratio was stingy and I have to disagree for all you can eat standards it's on par and fair. This has always been more of a local blue collar establishment and lord we hope it stays that way. Don't go changing NC! read more

National's Cafe - Lupita sushi burrito to go - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

Used to have Juan roll for us way back when he worked at Water Wheel. Have eaten at Nationals for years and have never been disappointed! Fresh, delicious sushi - chefs always offer "specialty" rolls they do for us and they are always so unique and tasty. Love the new location as it has a bit more space and indoor restrooms. The service is always top notch. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing service I love the little sushi boats the food 10000000/10 had some great bonding with my mom

If you are looking for good fresh Sushi Nationals is the place to go. Not only is the food fresh, the family that owns and runs Nationals is always so friendly and welcoming. My favorite roll is the Narionals Special and my husband enjoys the hand rolls with Soy paper. The prices are very reasonable and worth every penny. My husband and I frequent here often and we think Anthony and the rest of the team are so nice. We always look forward to our next visit. read more

National's Cafe - Jalapeno Roll. This thing is huge!! - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

A family owned business with delicious sushi! I always get especially excited to eat their egg rolls.

I went here today, Monday, March 25, 2019 at 11:25 AM for their grand opening. They were supposed to open at 11:30 AM, according to their front door. I patiently waited outside for them to open, but as I peeked in, I saw people eating! As I later found out, the article in today's newspaper (http://carsonnow.org/story/03/24/2019/longtime-carson-city-restaurant-nationals-cafe-sushi-bar-opens-monday-new-location ), as well as their business card and menu, stated they opened at 11 AM actually. This kind of took the wind out of my sails. Also, as many Japanese restaurants do, they close briefly for a break between 3 PM and 4:30 PM. As I went I saw many apparently happy customers. There was a counter along the length of the kitchen, as well as six or seven tables along the wall of the restaurant. They had one high chair stored in the front. They have a full Japanese menu for lunch and dinner, including plenty of sushi rolls. They also have an all-you-can-eat sushi for lunch from 11 AM-3 PM for $18.95, and for dinner from 4:30 PM-9 PM for $23.95. These prices are a little too expensive, especially for Carson City. They also serve beer, sake, iced tea, soda, and free hot tea; as well as ice cream for dessert. The thing that disappointed me was that I was not acknowledged as I was standing by the cash register at the front for five minutes. They were busy, but not super busy. This is troubling, since this was their grand opening day. Consistency in their hours also is troubling to me. Their menu and card say they are open from 11 AM-9 PM, but their door and the article above say they close from 3 PM-4:30 PM. I wish they would get this right. There was also a complaint that they closed whenever they wanted to, contrary to posted hours, at their previous location: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nationals-cafe-carson-city?hrid=weOnipnuQl541zD_RGUXWQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) The finally failed to update their website (http://carsoncitysushi.com/) with their new information and menu, even though they had plenty of opportunity to do it. Because of this, Yelp rejected the site when I reported it to them for the restaurant's business info. This makes me look bad. read more

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Best sushi In Carson city I recommend this place if you are not hungry the taste of this sushi will make you hungry 100 % The chefs are very friendly read more

Best sushi in Carson City! The staff is so friendly and the owners are so nice to talk to. The sushi is always fresh and prepared beautifully. Will always recommend Nationals! read more

Sit down and the Sushi chef says 'Spicy Scallop handroll' and I say 'YES' then under my breath I say 'How did he know that?' as if he can't hear me I mean I'm at the bar for the Buddha Belly sitting next to me sake LOL and then realize I have only been coming here for over 12 years. Palm to forehead - of course I want a Spicy Scallop handroll that's what I start off with at EVERY Sushi Place to see if they're worthy duhhhhhhh!! and of course he knows this because he knows everything I am going to order, what I like, what I don't like, geezzzz he's been seeing my husband and I before my husband and I knew each other LOL Okay enough about the funny stuff, let's get down to the food - right? right??!! SENSATIONAL SUSHI in an unassuming small LITERALLY itty, bitty, tiny place. We have always been greeted with a friendly, AMAZING service and the fish well it's FRESH and FANTABULOUS. I actually choose to not rate sushi places on Yelp because there are sooooo many that well let's be honest folks all the fish in the Reno/Carson/Tahoe area you must know the fish is coming from the same place and if you think it's not you are sadly mistaken. So truly you are rating the establishment and how quickly they are turning over the fish, pay attention to the quality of the fish, thinly slicing the fish, rolling the fish and if they actually know what they are doing - right? right?! AND THIS PLACE KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING - how else could they be around for as many years, not be opened on the weekends and treat us locals like I have stated above. So what are you waiting for come in get to know them and once you do they will treat you to off the menu items that will melt in your mouth and NOT fall apart in your hand - yep I said it. read more

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December 29, 2014: 1:30 PMish It's a cold day, a bit windy, bad news blowing in off the hospital walls, snow might happen tonight, who knows, no breakfast kind of hunger happening, and it's been awhile since I've had sushi. Today, I'm with the right guy, my brother, as my wife does like Sushi, but doesn't like the 'all you can eat' calorie fest that can happen. It's a Monday, and there are very few options open on a Monday, but National's is among them. I've seen this place before and the exterior appearance has been enough to scare me off, but my brother has been there, tells me it's not bad, and that it would be a good stop. We walk in and it's like I'm with Norm from Cheer's. They know him, and I know him, and so now I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. I don't know what I was thinking; it was a very good thing. There is seating for eight at the bar, and we are able to snag the last two seats. We tell them that we like spicy and fresh, and soon we had three rolls without ordering anything. Now, this might bother you, but, for me, it was a blessing. We loved them all. He asked if we were still hungry, and, if you knew us, you knew the answer...more food arrived. "Do you have mussels?" I ask. "Yes" was the answer, and how many do we want? My brother asked for a particular favorite, and it was there moments later, and it was tasty, sort of a sweet desert mid-meal. Here's the reader's digest version of the meal today. First, we thought everything was very fresh, and this is very important to me. Second, we got our food in a very fast orderly process. This could have been because of their knowledge of my brother, but who knows. We did not have to wait for our food. Third, they were all very friendly, and you gotta like that. Fourth, lunch was only $15.50 per person, and I'm not sure how they can make any money at that price when folks like my brother and I walk in. You might be wondering, "We're there any problems?" I guess that depends on what you really want in a sushi restaurant. If you like fresh, fast, friendly, and affordable, No, there were no problems. If, like some of my yelping brethren have identified, it is not the fanciest of places you may not like this place. It is a bit dark with pictures of the food on the wall to help you order. So, it's a four star place for me, and I'll be back. They want ever call my name like my brother, but they'll know me. read more

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Not my version of quality sushi . But the chefs were very nice and accommodating. I am used to Las Vegas AYCE

Worst sushi ever. Old fish, yesterdays rice. I had to throw most of it away. Definitely not the Nationals I used to know. read more

Hands down best sushi around. Fresh fish, great service and the price for all you can eat is super reasonable.

This is hands down the best sushi restaurant in town. We have been to other sushi restaurants and this is number 1. The front of this place may have you not giving it a second glance but trust me you want to stop in. They have unique rolls that we have never seen before coming here and they are Amazing! Their oysters on the half shell are not to be missed. We actually got two orders they were so good. They will even make custom rolls that aren't on the menu and bring them to the table which is a treat. Make sure to ask about their Chefs special rolls. Everything they have is fresh and not frozen which is a definite plus considering where we are here in northern Nevada. The staff is prompt and friendly and the rolls come out in a timely manner as well. They are happy to accommodate you and answer questions you may have on rolls and recommend their favorites. Prices are more then reasonable for what they offer and you honestly are getting it for a steal. We will be coming back read more

National's Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada

Truly one of the worst Japanese restaurants I've ever been to. I couldn't even bring myself to take photos as I was there with friends who seemed to like it. I know that choices are limited around Carson -Minden for more Asian foods but... I mean the Owner seemed like a nice guy and staff was nice as well BUT they had Latin music videos playing on the TVs and even the very basics were terrible tasting. The miso soup was watery and lacking ANY miso flavor. The tempura was much too heavy and laden with batter and well as being presented in 'bulk' fashion making it unappetizing from the get go. Actually didn't have even one Japanese vegetable in the plate. One of the WORST Japanese cuisine offenses had to be the the 'tempura' sauce... it was super sweet and too thick. Literally tasted like a teriyaki sauce!! Horrible - inedible for me. My gyoza looked straight outta the freezer section of Trader Joe's and had an almost pure vinegar sauce on the side. Nothing resembling a 'ponzu' dipping sauce. The 'sushi' rolls were unappealing as well being served with poorly made rice. I am sorry I agreed to go as I knew ahead of time it would probably not be very good. To say it was inauthentic is an understatement I'm actually sad that some people may think this terrible food is actually 'Japanese' cuisine.... It is NOT! I WAS even served my green tea on a coffee mug styled cup. I should've taken photos of the food but I was so turned off I didn't even bother- Please don't go thinking it's Japanese food. It is decidedly not.... read more

Very heavy on rice, chintzy with fish. 1st and last for us. Rice was 1/2 inch thick around rolls. Poor value.

Family run, kind people. Really wanted to like this place, but the smoke from the casino next door and the poop left in every roll and shrimp was too gross. Miso soup was yummy. read more

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Sushi is the best in Carson love to eat here friendly staff that remembers us and all rools are good read more

National's Cafe - House roll "starter" - Japanese Near Me - Carson City, Nevada