Tancho had been on my list since it opened. I have always loved hand roll sushi places since frequenting DOMODOMO back when I used to live in NYC. Doing a hand roll omakase was affordable and a fun way to have a variety of different items. Tancho is very similar in that regard, though it also has a more extensive menu and other omakase.
I live in South Austin but Tancho is located further west and out of the way for me in a strip mall off the busy Southwest Parkway. That mental hurdle stopped me from visiting for a long time but I finally have been twice for lunch in the past few months. After making the drive there, it really was not as far as I thought - mostly because that stretch of the freeway and road west of the Loop aren't busy, and you can drive fast.
Parking is ample, and it's not too busy. The space itself is really nice. Light wood accents, comfortable seating, and tons of natural light. I came alone and sat at the bar, which faces the open kitchen.
I like coming for the $31 Roll Omakase, which comes with 5 hand rolls and a salad. All the fish was very fresh and all were seasoned more on the sweet and tart side, compared to Uchi which accentuates the savory notes more with salt crystals. My favorite of the omakase was. the Salmon one. Also really good a la carte rolls that I also ordered were the Scallop and Unagi rolls. Both times, all the staff have been very friendly and diligent in their service - picking up plates quickly, refilling water, checking on me.
If you feel the prices are high, you can get a great deal because Tancho is on inKind, an app which you can use to pay your bill. InKind allows you to add funds to your app wallet and get bonus cash. I believe it's 20% bonus but there's a current offer to get 45%, but you have to spend more - lowest offer was pay $297 to get $430. Otherwise what I do is buy inKind $100 e-gift cards from Costco.com, which they price at $75, and $70 if on sale. With your inKind cash, you can also use it with special offers they give you like $25 off a $50+ bill.
After calculating my bill and savings, I saved about 50% - spending $35 for a $70 bill. It's become my new favorite way to use inKind offers and cash that I have. read more