RAWR Sushi became one of my favorite sushi places from the very first time I visited about a year ago. On a whim I looked up sushi places near me after a photoshoot nearby, and I saw the rating and the price and knew I had to try it; it was love at first roll when I got there!
RAWR keeps things affordable by keeping the menu simple (there are only 8 types of rolls, available in regular and spicy, making 16 rolls, plus a shrimp tempura roll and 5 vegetable rolls, for a total of 22 rolls available), and by serving on styrofoam trays. RAWR is a quick service / takeout sushi joint, and that's a great thing - RAWR should be a model for any other quick sushi place, because their atmosphere, their service, and most importantly their rolls surpass most trendy sit-down sushi restaurants. RAWR is so good that they've become a habit any time I am in the area - I truly wish they were located closer to where I live.
So here's what you need to know about RAWR Sushi: Their simple menu makes ordering super easy. They make the sushi rolls fresh when you order, and their ingredients are consistently the freshest I've ever had. For under $20 you can get 4 rolls, and they always give you miso and ginger salad while you wait for your rolls - this is an incredible value. Drinks are only ~$1.50, and are soda cans.
As for their rolls, I can't stress enough, they have some of the best and most flavorful sushi I've ever eaten. Their spicy rolls are no joke, and this is coming from someone who is told I have asbestos taste buds - I crave heat, and RAWR delivers; for this reason, if you're sensitive to spice, I recommend getting only one spicy roll your first time so you can judge for yourself. Highlights on their menu are the Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll, Eel Avocado Roll, and above all else, the Shrimp Tempura Roll they've added to their menu. They by far have the best Shrimp Tempura Roll I've ever had - you *must* order this!
Their staff is very friendly, and I've now been there often enough that they recognize me now. After ordering, you seat yourself, and soon your food is brought to your table; service is fast, and while they don't wait tables (this is a quick sushi place, not a sit-down restaurant), service is lighting fast and extremely helpful. Seating is limited, so I imagine it's super busy at lunchtime (I've only been there mid afternoon, when it's quiet). The ambience is modern and bright (like a froyo place), and the restaurant is always clean. Music is soft; acoustic covers of pop / top 40 - I'm always on Soundhound there because I happen to like the station RAWR is always set to.
You NEED to go in and get hooked on this place. It's a good thing they're not close to where I live, because if they were nearby I'd be in there every week. They need to open a location in Chantilly; just saying. I've never been to Japan, but I imagine this RAWR is similar to some of the non-conveyor-belt-based sushi places there. RAWR Sushi is fresh, fast, affordable, and delicious! read more