Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Simi's Cafe

    4.6 (1k reviews)
    ModerateAsian Fusion
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Simi's Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Simi's Cafe Photos

    Simi's Cafe - Updated Menu 1 - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Updated Menu 2 - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Mongolian Style Lamp Chops (special order) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Clams with Black Beans Sauce - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Salt & Pepper Shrimp (Spicy) (Seasonal) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Ginger Onions Crab (Seasonal) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Chicken Pad Thai (Spicy) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Yellow Curry Chicken (Spicy) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Crab Puffs (8) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Singapore Noodles (Spicy) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Shrimp Chow Mein - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Black Bean Shrimp - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona
    Simi's Cafe - Vegetable Chow Fun - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

    +502

    Simi's Cafe - Pork Spring Rolls (Cha Gio) (2) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

    Business Info

    SIMI'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Simi's Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kung Pao Chicken: authentic & delicious
    Boris D.

    Great food, service, and ambiance! Will definitely come back to try other dishes. The menu looks wonderful with a lot of variety of Asian dishes.

    Tofu Chow Mein
    Lauren M.

    Amazing customer service and delicious food! This was my first time trying this place and it did not disappoint!

    Chicken Pot Stickers
    Monique C.

    Delicious pho!! After a long day by the pool, I was craving some Pho. I did a quick yelp search and this place caught my eye. It's a cute small restaurant with plenty of sitting. The service was quick and very friendly. We started with the chicken potstickers and they were crispy and flavorful. I live in Phoenix and I would definitely travel just to get the pho. The broth was so good!!

    Salt & pepper fish
    Emalyn B.

    A Hidden Gem! If you're a fan of fish & chips, Simi's Salt & Pepper Fish is a must-try--but with a flavorful twist. Instead of the usual fries, you're treated to a generous portion of crispy, golden fish topped with pan fried jalapeños and spring onions, served piping hot alongside a fragrant side of rice. It's satisfying and absolutely delicious. We've ordered takeout a few times and always appreciated Ping's friendly and welcoming service. Yesterday was our first dine-in experience, and it was a pleasure to be served by Diane, the owner, and Carmen--both so warm and attentive, you feel like your favorite auntie is serving you. The vegetables in garlic sauce is another standout--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The ambiance is clean, simple, and quiet, making it a great spot to enjoy a relaxed meal with excellent service. Ever since our first bite of Simi's salt & pepper fish, it's become our go-to whenever we crave fish & chips. Next time, we're eyeing the salt & pepper calamari and shrimp--maybe we'll make it a fried seafood platter!

    Lettuce Wraps
    Steven J.

    Okay experience. We were surprised and expected it to be better. Simi's is located in a very run down strip mall, and doesn't have any curb appeal. The interior was cuter and appeared clean. There was even Japanese items being sold. The service was not the most attentive and the food ranged from decent to extremely spicy. We ordered everything mild and everything was super over spiced. The best item was definitely the pork. I don't think we would come back, but we've had worse.

    Sliced Siliced Beef Pho
    Jonathan L.

    Asian fusion to the max, and you need to keep that in mind coming here. Came in on a Saturday evening around 5:30pm - no wait instantly sat. Sitting down, the vibe is so relaxed and calm inside. There were a few other people eating, but I felt very relaxed eating just sitting here. The waitress was easily a highlight of the experience. Walked through the menu but so nice and friendly. Checked in on us and just was really personable and genuine - never felt rushed or anything. We ordered two dishes the Pad Thai and the Sliced Beef Pho. As I mentioned this is Asian fusion which makes sense as their menu sprawls from Pad Thai to Wonton Soup to Pho and then to like General Tso's chicken. The food came out pretty quickly. I ordered the pho so focusing on that more. I would not really call this Pho. The pho broth tastes very heavy sesame oil taste with not too much of the spice taste you usually get in pho (cinnamon, star anise, etc). This broth tasted like wonton soup broth with a hint of pho spices. With that being said, Asian fusion. it's like pho but not pho and surprisingly it was pretty good to me! I felt like the portion was pretty good which I'm glad as it's pretty pricy. However, I finished the whole bowl and drank all the broth. Adding in sriracha and lime and the usual toppings made it some weird pho hybrid noodle dish, and I enjoyed it. Lots of broth and it came out HOT. The pad Thai I had a little bit of but it didn't taste like good pad Thai to me. Missing wok flavor/char taste, and pretty sweet no acidity to it. With that being said pretty decent portion size too. Overall, I would highly recommend trying it for Asian fusion. The dishes in my opinion don't taste authentic but that doesn't mean they don't taste good overall. The pho being very surprising to me. Service and ambiance was 10:10.

    Orange Chicken
    Diana O.

    This place hit the spot! We were at an amazing health clinic right up the street called Unchained Wellness, which is AMAZING AND I 100% RECOMMEND, and I was starving. I am so happy we decided to try Simi's Cafe. The service was so great. I wish I would have gotten their names but the two women that helped us made us feel so welcomed. They were beyond accommodating. Our server helped us get exactly what we were wanting. The food was delicious. We got the chicken lettuce wraps, orange chicken, egg fried rice, pepper corn beef with chow mein and it was delicious. They made great left overs as well. We can't wait to go back and try something new.

    Egg Flower Soup
    Ken R.

    This is like the Cheers Bar of restaurants, the owner/hostess seems to know almost everyone who walks in here. The food was delicious and the portions plentiful. The egg drop soup needed some soy sauce, but the kung pao chicken was very flavorful. It was pretty mild, however. The restaurant has a nice open feel with about 10 tables. This will definitely be somewhere to come back to on a future trip to Gilbert.

    Pho

    See all

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anna G.
    52
    10
    1

    4 years ago

    Love their food. The waitress that's been there for years is amazing keep coming back because of her.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bao H.
    1321
    977
    3000

    11 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S. C.
    133
    53
    25

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Max H.
    329
    85
    63

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa N.
    236
    14
    86

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniela Z.
    12
    162
    28

    6 years ago

    The food quality is so good!! i love their pho, fried rice, and chicken lettuce wraps. great service too! well packaged for to go

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    The workers are so kind and the food is always amazing. The food never disappoints either.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kent M.
    458
    88
    172

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julia G.
    68
    26
    66

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emma V.
    202
    125
    161

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brent B.
    10
    98
    356

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    The Phở was delicious and the owner was so friendly and helpful. It's also a plus that they offer curbside service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Went. Liked it. Good Asian food. However the photos are misleading. Not serving sushi.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marc S.
    0
    31
    15

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Just walking in you know the food will be delicious, the top notch service never stops. Love this place.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 8 of 26

    Ask the Community - Simi's Cafe

    Do they serve alcohol now?

    Yes. We serve wine, sake and beer

    I heard they stopped the Poke bar. Anyone know if that's going to start up again?

    They said maybe in December and also revamping the menu. The owner said they didn't get much biz from so they may just do limited hours for Poke bar.

    Can you order take outs?

    Yes

    View All 4 Questions

    Clever Koi - XO Noodles

    Clever Koi

    4.1(711 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Let me start with a little tid bit about Downtown Gilbert. There is nothing really special about it…read moreoutside of the vibe is right. Always a lot of people there so it makes you want to be there. Restaurant wise they have really basic offerings. Places you can find in Mesa, and Tempe, and Scottsdale. Now.... What truly makes Downtown Gilbert special are the small shops that are hidden away from the "main strip". One of those places is Clever Koi. Hidden in the Parking lot space behind Shaq's Chicken spot is a small strip of shops. A book store, smoothie place, and my favorite Clever Koi. Our family has very different tastes when we move from one member to the next. So finding places that we all like gets tricky. Clever Koi makes that easy because we honestly have yet to run into something we don't like. Let's start with our favorite starter. The steamed buns (giggity). The pork belly is hands down phenomenal. An amazing bite that literally makes you want more and more. The lazy fries are just that, again pork belly is included, but that garlic aioli is what drives this dish. The tai salad is obviously classic. The short rib dumplings literally make you close your eyes and just say "Mmmmmm". My middle child is the hardest pallet to please at any restaurant as he only eats certain things, but the Chicken Katsu sandwich here is his second favorite chicken sandwich in all this world. The first time he ate it he spent the whole ride home raving about it. Mind you, we live in San Tan, so not a short ride. The shaking beef is always good. It has this firey kick that brings the heat upfront but does not linger. You cannot forget about the fried rice here. Rice is one of my weaknesses in life second only to pizza. Fried rice ranks right up there with my top favorite ways to eat rice and this ranks right up there with my favorite fried rice places. The main reason we come here is because of the noodles. Ramen, ramen, ramen. When you think of Ramen, I assure you this is what you are thinking of. The broth is oh so savory and reigns in the fresh veggies and proteins to meld them with the noodles for a flavor punch each time you have a mouthful. They have great drinks here as well, or so I've been told by the other adults I come here with. I always just get a sake and Sapporo so... LOL The service is always good here and we somehow always manage to miss the lunch or dinner rush which is awesome. All in all... this is by far my favorite dining spot in downtown Gilbert. Great food, great drinks, great service, great atmosphere, in the middle of a great little square. A must eat for me.

    Transport yourself to a city from-scratch Asian restaurant with a plethora of handmade cocktails…read moreand an upscale warm, inviting vibe. This is Clever Koi. Our server Maya was incredible and extremely knowledgeable on all dishes, drinks, and so many details of the restaurant! I've never had this good of service anywhere! My wife and I had the Pad See Ew with the braised chicken thigh which was INCREDIBLE. Perfectly chewy noodles, great seasoning. I highly recommend adding some of the homemade Fresno chile sriracha for a kick! The pork ramen was also very delicious. Be warned it's a lot of pork! My wife preferred it with the green jalapeño sriracha. The drinks were also very unique and delicious! A sideline view for me and riding the line for my wife. Oh and the best part was the dessert Bananas foster hush puppy puffs. These were so unique, seasoned with cinnamon sugar and Chinese 5 spice. It took some getting used to but the more you ate it with the Carmel toffee sauce the more I enjoyed it. All in all I can see why people love this place! It's a 5 star restaurant for a 3 star price! If you're looking to expand your flavor palette and have a wonderful evening I can't recommend Clever Koi enough!

    Photos
    Clever Koi - Bar

    Bar

    Clever Koi - Pork Belly Bun Korean Hot Chicken Bun Soft Shell Crab Bun

    Pork Belly Bun Korean Hot Chicken Bun Soft Shell Crab Bun

    Clever Koi - Moscow Mule and my husband being funny.

    See all

    Moscow Mule and my husband being funny.

    Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine - Mini Hot Pot

    Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine

    4.2(117 reviews)
    5.2 mi

    Looking for authentic hot pot? Look no further!…read more As a California native I am very very picky about my Asian food. I found this place to be a pleasant surprise! The hot pot is flavorful, delicious, and fulfilling. I went home with a second meal because the portions are so good. I also recommend the basil popcorn chicken, they do a really good job of seasoning not on the chicken but the breading as well. Do not skip over this local gem!

    I've been to Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine twice now and both experiences were good. I ordered…read morethe seafood hot pot both times. The first time I tried it with the miso soup base and the second time, I got the tom yum spicy soup base. The miso was very light and almost bland, to be honest. I didn't love it. The tom yum spicy, which was recommended by the staff, had more flavor. It was much better. However, I tried my husband's sichuan spicy and liked that more. If and when we return, I will definitely get the sichuan spicy base. The seafood mini hot pot for one at $25.95 has plenty of seafood in it. There's a crab leg, mussels, clams, calamari, and more. I have yet to finish an entire hot pot in one sitting. The restaurant has a large dining room and offers plenty of seating. Service was fast and friendly at both visits.

    Photos
    Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine - We could not use this table because it was used by staff and their belongings, so they set us next to it.

    We could not use this table because it was used by staff and their belongings, so they set us next to it.

    Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine - Hamachi Kama (yellowtail cheek)

    Hamachi Kama (yellowtail cheek)

    Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine - Hot Pot with Sukiyaki Broth and Mushroom Broth

    See all

    Hot Pot with Sukiyaki Broth and Mushroom Broth

    Zu Izakaya

    Zu Izakaya

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$

    Popped into this place for our last meal before leaving AZ and it did not disappoint! We were the…read morefirst people in. When we walked in it had a very fishy smell, so it kind of made us second guess our choice. But we went for it anyhow. The greeter/server was very pleasant and sat us. It was very clean inside with ample space between seat. We browsed through the menu and started with our usual edamame and pot stickers. The edamame was salted well throughout where a lot of places just put the salt on top only. We ordered a couple varieties of sake which were both good. Out of all of the things we ordered the karange skewer was just a little more oily than were use to, but still good. The spicy salmon roll had really great flavor and the lollipop roll was probably one of the better versions that we have had. The musubi was giant to say the least, it was good, but offered a bit too much rice. Overall the food and service was great and we were very happy that we ended up here!

    Awesome late night spot, for decent quality Japanese eats, and in the Tempe-Scottsdale area. Zu…read moreIzakaya was a solid post-study dinner spot when I was a student, and this time it definitely held up! We were nearby for a show, and decided to stop in on a Wednesday evening for a late dinner with some friends. They have a good happy hour menu, and my friends ordered off there, but I was craving sushi so I got the nigiri omakase. It came with miso soup, which I enjoyed, definitely hard to go wrong there. The sushi itself was decent, nothing crazy, but definitely better than grocery store quality. The tuna and salmon pieces were a little fishy, maybe not the freshest, but it was also quite late (~10pm) so I wasn't expecting too much. Beautifully presented, and the cuts were quite large which was nice! The food came out pretty fast, and the service was pleasant. The restaurant vibes are pretty dark, and moody. The bathroom was kind of scary personally, super dark and a little messy, so I decided to wait till I got home. Overall, a solid experience, and definitely a good choice if I am in the area.

    Photos
    Zu Izakaya - Lots of inside seating options

    Lots of inside seating options

    Zu Izakaya - JJAMBBONG POT

    JJAMBBONG POT

    Zu Izakaya - NIGIRI OMAKASE

    See all

    NIGIRI OMAKASE

    Zu Izakaya - ASU - Inside atmosphere

    Zu Izakaya - ASU

    4.5(309 reviews)
    8.5 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Kitchen open late

    We were seated immediately, and our hostess gave us some of the nicest service I've experienced…read more The Japanese beers are a must, especially off draft. We were able to snag happy hour deals for the chili edamame and the Las Vegas and spicy yellowtail rolls. The rolls were very tasty and came out in less than 5mins. The edamame.... THE BEST edamame I've had to date. These are a required must-try for anyone going here. We decided to try a hot pot for the first time and went with a fan favorite spicy seafood pot. I was scared it would be fishy, which I don't like. But it was in a tonkotsu broth (pork bone broth) so the seafood flavor was just in the seafood itself, which was perfect for me. It was so good. Not very spicy though, and I think that would level it up a bit. Off happy hour, it is a bit pricey. A hotpot is $20 but easily feeds two or three people, but the rolls are about $7-$14 a piece which adds up. Happy hour is a good time to be there. It's also more refined inside, a nice glow of the lights and high end tableware and chopsticks. Not too fancy, which is perfect for an impromptu night out like we had.

    The food here was really great. I highly recommend the shishito peppers as an appetizer--they were…read moreone of the highlights of the meal. If you're not a fan of strong flavors, I would recommend asking for lighter seasoning on some dishes and a little extra water in the soups. That balance worked well for our preferences. Unfortunately, the service did not match the quality of the food. During the hour we were there, the restaurant wasn't busy. There were only a couple of tables being served, yet our drinks were never refilled, our table wasn't bused, and our rice never arrived with our hot pot soups even after our server asked if we wanted it. It seemed to be forgotten. What really stood out was that we ended up eating dessert with a table full of dirty dishes still sitting in front of us and empty drinks that had not been refilled. I also noticed that the table next to us appeared to receive much more attentive service. Their drinks were refilled, their dishes were cleared promptly, and staff regularly checked on them to see if they needed anything. In comparison, our table received very little attention. I don't know why there was such a difference in service. It left me wondering whether we were being treated differently, though I can't say for certain. Overall, the food was excellent, but the service was disappointing and significantly affected our experience. (Server was Dhillon T.)

    Photos
    Zu Izakaya - ASU
    Zu Izakaya - ASU - Hotpot, Assorted Tempura, Galbi, Oysters, Chicken Skewers

    Hotpot, Assorted Tempura, Galbi, Oysters, Chicken Skewers

    Zu Izakaya - ASU

    See all

    The Brickyard Downtown - Pork "Banh Mi " Tacos

    The Brickyard Downtown

    4.5(881 reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$

    After a really poor experience at an Italian restaurant down the block, we came here to have…read moredessert and cocktails. Loved the atmosphere. Sat at the bar where service was good, drinks were expertly prepared and really enjoyed the dessert! Food looked great as well, I really wish we had eaten here instead of wasting money at the other place.

    This review is long overdue…read more After drinks and bites at The Living Room on Saturday, May 6, 2017, Rachel took Allen, David and me to THE BRICKYARD DOWNTOWN for more alcoholic beverages. Nestled in historic downtown Chandler, in the narrow sliver of Boston Street, the speak-easy themed cocktail bar and restaurant is located inside the former home of the Chandler Arizonan, the city's original hometown newspaper since 1912. With exposed brick walls and rich wood finishes, the historic site provides an upscale, contemporary urban and industrial-chic setting. After easily finding parking in walking distance from the entrance, we arrived shortly before midnight of the 7th. They were closing soon, but we had enough time to order a round of craftly-made cocktails and beers to down quickly. It helps when your friend knows the bartender. Enter smiley face emoji here. THE BRICKYARD DOWNTOWN is credited for the first place that I ever tried a CLOVER CLUB, a pink, frothy cocktail with fruity, citrusy, velvety qualities. I was instantly tickled pink, literally, by the nostalgic feel of the elegant concoction, topped with artfully designed egg white foam and served in a vintage-style champagne glass. What a beauty of a drink with a touch of class and sophistication! Almost made me want to throw on a flapper dress and dance the Charleston...until I realized the need to balance from the powerful punch in the serious drink. Fancy, stiff cocktails served at THE BRICKYARD DOWNTWON fo shizz. No complaints about that here! It's been a while since I visited Arizona. Maybe it's time to return. If/when I do, I will mos def drop by THE BRICKYARD DOWNTOWN again!

    Photos
    The Brickyard Downtown - Cabbage and sausage lasagna

    Cabbage and sausage lasagna

    The Brickyard Downtown - Mini Bricks

    Mini Bricks

    The Brickyard Downtown - Bar seating

    See all

    Bar seating

    SumoMaya - California roll

    SumoMaya

    4.0(2.9k reviews)
    13.6 mi
    $$$

    My girlfriend and I have been to Sumomaya twice now, both for dinner. The music is fun and loud,…read moregreat ambiance. The food is delicious and full of flavor. We have yet to have one bad dish. The chicken mole is different from our first visit. It's a grilled chicken instead of crispy chicken, which we liked more. Our server told us we had to try the sticky cake, and she was right. My girlfriend and I were left wishing we had a whole bottle of that sauce to take home. The only thing we didn't enjoy was the perfect patron margarita, tasted and looked like straight lemon juice. Service makes or breaks the dining experience. Tatiana was amazing. She recommended her favorite dishes and explained the menu in depth, something we wished for on our first visit because the menu is huge. Her personality and attention to the details made the meal for us. We will be requesting her for all of our future visits Overall, great experience and great food. We recommend Sumomaya

    SumoMaya Updated Yelp Review: 2.0/5…read more This one pains me to write. The last time I dined at SumoMaya was about 10 years ago and at that time I gave it a 5/5-star experience. I remembered it as a vibrant, trendy, elevated dining destination with great food and a fun atmosphere. So when I decided to bring my mom (who had never been) to try their Arizona Restaurant Week menu, I was genuinely excited. Unfortunately... much has changed. Let me start with the positives because there were a few. The inside ambiance is still fantastic. SumoMaya absolutely nails the vibe. Modern, sexy, upscale energy with a lively crowd, gorgeous interior design, and a house DJ spinning deep house that honestly may have been the highlight of the night. If you're looking for a place to grab cocktails, enjoy music, and soak in a cool atmosphere? Sure. For that alone, they still have something going for them. Also, our server was excellent -- friendly, attentive, and professional. Now...the food. We arrived around 7:30 PM and didn't leave until roughly 9:30 PM, which felt excessive considering we were doing a fixed Restaurant Week menu. While our server was great, the kitchen/food pacing was painfully slow. The Breakdown: Maya Roll - 4/5 The clear winner of the night. Fresh, flavorful, well-balanced, and honestly the only dish that reminded me why SumoMaya used to have the reputation it did. Pad Thai Pork "Al Pastor" - 1/5 This was rough. The noodles were noticeably overcooked, the flavor was bland, and overall it felt confused conceptually and poorly executed. Definitely not a dish I'd ever order again. Chilean Sea Bass w/ Miso Glaze - complicated . This dish deserves its own courtroom trial. The first sea bass plates came out undercooked to the point where the fish practically looked ready to swim away. Let's be clear: Chilean sea bass is not sushi. Serving undercooked fish in this context is not just disappointing -- it's a legitimate food safety concern. That initial version? 0/10. Once corrected, the bigger issue became the miso glaze, which was aggressively overpowering. To the point where both my mom and I felt a bit queasy after a few bites. Without lime? 1/5. With lime squeezed over it to cut through the miso overload? 3/5. Even then, it was just... mediocre. I've had far better Chilean sea bass elsewhere -- buttery, delicate, flaky perfection. This wasn't that. Given the glowing reviews I had read about this dish, this was one of the bigger disappointments of the night. Mexican Street Corn - 0/5 As a side, we were served the Mexican Street Corn, and unfortunately this was another major miss. I love Mexican street corn and have ordered it at countless restaurants throughout Arizona, so I was excited to try SumoMaya's version. Sadly, this wasn't even remotely close to what I'd expect from authentic or well-executed street corn. My mom, who is a chef, immediately commented that it tasted like canned corn, and honestly, I had to agree. There was very little of the bold flavor profile that makes Mexican street corn so addictive. The cotija, lime, spice, and cream elements that should make the dish pop were either absent or completely overwhelmed by the watery dish itself. 0/5 stars. In fact, this may have been the worst Mexican street corn I've ever had at a restaurant. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, especially considering how many excellent versions of this dish can be found throughout the Valley. Bread Pudding - 0/5 I don't say this lightly: possibly the worst bread pudding I've ever had. Dry. Hard. Portions of the bread tasted borderline burnt. Instead of warm, decadent comfort-food dessert vibes, it felt like chewing on a stale kitchen experiment gone wrong. Final Verdict: This is where it gets tough. If we hadn't been dining on the Restaurant Week prix fixe, I honestly would have felt severely swindled, because the standard menu pricing here is not cheap -- and based on the quality of what came out of the kitchen, I simply don't see the value. The only reason this review gets 2 stars instead of 1 is because: Great ambiance Awesome house music / deep house DJ Excellent server One good sushi roll But based purely on food quality? This was deeply disappointing. I genuinely hate saying this because I remembered SumoMaya so fondly, but I will be shocked if this restaurant maintains longevity if this is the level of food consistently leaving the kitchen. Would I come back? Maybe for drinks, ambiance, and the music. Definitely not for dinner.

    Photos
    SumoMaya
    SumoMaya - Carlito's Orange beef

    Carlito's Orange beef

    SumoMaya - Margarita

    See all

    Margarita

    Simi's Cafe - asianfusion - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...