SushiSamba Rio: User Reviews

Brunch was good
By iheartchicago from naperville, il, August 27, 2008

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I randomly went to Sushi Samba for brunch on a Sunday, and I was pleasantly surprised. For $15 a person, you can pick four items off of the menu, and they will give you as much food as is appropriate for the size of your group. The portions were a great size, and the steak was my favorite.

However, I will agree with the other reviews that the service was just terrible. No one seemed interested at all and it took forever for someone to actually take our order and get us our drinks.

Overall, while service is definitely lacking, its worth checking out their breakfast!

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Overpriced, and the food is average
By photorebel from Wicker Park, July 19, 2008

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Sushi Samba Rio was high on my list of places to try because a) I love sushi; b) it's probably the best-known sushi place in Chicago, and c) a friend kept saying how great it was and that we had to go. So we did, and I walked in with high expectations. The atmosphere of the restaurant is better suited to LA or Vegas--sexy, dark, flashy and loud. Something you'd see in HBO's Entourage. However, in my opinion, if the place was lit better, you'd be able to tell that the place could use some remodeling. The chairs we sat on were comfortable, but aged, and you could see stains all over the cushions, which surprised me, especially since the bathrooms are so flashy--I'd expect better design and upkeep. The high prices weren't surprising, considering it's River North, but as exquisite a food as I think sushi is, I wasn't blown over. The rolls are similar to what you would get at any other sushi place worth its salt, and tasting a tomatillo salsa-covered roll of rice just reminded me of something one would order at Chipotle. The fusion of Brazilian/Peruvian styles with Japanese just did not impress me, although each respective culture boasts its own great food. The bill for 4 came to almost $300--partly because of the top-shelf liquor, partly because the sushi was just incredibly expensive.

PROS:
1) Best iced tea I've ever had in a restaurant
2) "Best chicken teriyaki I've ever had," according to the non-sushi eater in our group
3) Excellent service--our glasses were never empty
4) We made reservations and did not have to wait when we arrived, which I've heard has happened to some people
5) We got two free desserts because of an initial delay with the drinks when we first arrived (which we didn't even care about)
6) Special care taken by waitstaff to make sure no calamari or octopus touched our food, because of one party member's allergies.

CONS:
1) Bathroom attendants are completely unnecessary in a place like this.
2) This place is way too expensive--the food isn't worth it.
3) Dim lighting hides the need for an interior design facelift.
4) Cramming that many people into our general eating area made it feel like a crowded bar on a Saturday night. People kept hitting the back of my chair while they were walking by, which means I'm either sitting way too far away from the table, or there isn't enough circulation room in the place. There are only a couple of really great seats in this restaurant--everything else seems mediocre.

Bottom line? Skip it. There are better places in Chicago to get great sushi and great atmosphere at a great price.

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Another Place to Blow Your Paycheck
By Young OD from Ukrainian Village, July 2, 2008

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Had dinner on the top floor. All around, the staff was pretty unhelpful and disinterested. I guess since gratuity was included in the bill (8 people) they didn't see much point in making an effort. Music was much too loud for conversation. Atmosphere was very "Night at the Roxbury." As far as the sushi goes, it's interesting but nothing special. Rather expensive for what it is, but I guess you're paying for the DJ and nice furniture.

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Poor Customer Service
By Anonymous from OC, June 18, 2008

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I used to LOVE Sushi Samba, I have been their loyal customers, primarily visiting their NY locations. Now I will advise everyone I know not to go to Sushi Samba anymore. I was so pissed about the way they handled the situation with my lost card. I was on the business trip and my Visa Check card was my ONLY form of payment. The night I ate there I realized that I left my card in the book about an hour after leaving the place. They were still open, so I took a cab to personally go there and ask them to look for it. They told me to call them back the next day because the upstairs area was closed. The managers were there, they had the keys to go up, but they just didn't feel like it. So, I called them when they opened the next day. Gave them all the information and asked them to please check upstairs, especially in all the books because that's where I left it. They said they are very busy and they will try to do it when they get around it. I explained to them that it was the only method of payment that I had with me on this business trip and I would really appreciate their help.

A few hours later, no call from them. I call back, they say "we are too busy to check on your lost card". I was shocked. I asked for the manager, they put me like on a 15-minute hold and then got back to me and said "the manager is busy". That's when I started getting PISSED OFF. I said "I will NOT stop calling you until you get me the manager. I will also personally show up at your location and sit there until you in front of me go through every book and look for my card." They got me the manager finally, he was very rude and none-cooperative.

So, no more Sushi Samba!!!

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not for mother's day brunch
By jau from west town, May 11, 2008

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Stick to the seafood. This is not the place for brunch. Paying $35 a person and each person chooses an entree to share family style...maybe if the people were 4 years old and they don't eat much...the french toast was two pieces of bread cut in half. It was still dripping with egg batter, I couldn't eat it. My husband chose the filet mignon which was tasty but nothing special. It was about a 6oz piece of meat to share family style??? My mother in law got the eggs benedict...not very good. We came home and had to cook. It was very unfortunate. I don't even think I can go back there for dinner...to an establishment that ripped us off. Very disappointed!

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not so sure
By beentheredonethat from lincoln park, April 24, 2008

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For how expensive it was- i just didnt think it was that great! the servings are very small! i wouldnt wast my time and money again! now, if you like some "okay" sushi and willing to spend that much- thats the place to be!

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It's All In the Mix
By glaminthecity from Uptown, April 9, 2008

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Love this place! The decor, the music, the food. . .all great! Going for Happy Hour in the upstairs lounge was more chilled and I felt as if the service was better up there. Try the Edamame  as an appetizer with a nice cocktail.

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great food & fun environment!
By ChicagoFoodie from river north, April 4, 2008

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the moment i stepped in, i knew it was going to be a fun night! great music, fun decor and the food was delicious! would definitely recommend the seviche, chilean sea bass and the samba rolls -- each of them are unique and have a kick to them! manager was really friendly and all of us had such a great time. of course the cocktails don't hurt either! :)

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not worth your money
By gracipi1215 from Rogers Park, February 25, 2008

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Food was sub-par and the service was horrible. Their calamari is decent but skip on everything else.

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