Tanoshii: User Reviews

Won't Be Back
By Chicago_Is_Awesome from Edgewater, July 1, 2009

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I visited Tanoshii a few weeks a go and just got around to writing a review. Anyways the sushi was not even CLOSE to good. I expected a lot more.It was a week night and pretty quiet so the service was good but good service cannot make up for over priced bad sushi - I won't be back

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Ignore the Menu
By Dspiegel from West Town, July 1, 2009

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Let me start by saying there are a few signature rolls(the fish and chips, soft shell crab special, and the italian roll) that are the most amazing maki rolls I have ever had, and keep me coming back to Tanoshii. The funny thing is they are not on the menu. Whenever anyone I've been with orders from the menu the food is mediocre. Yesterday we tried the calamari appetizer that was billed as "Calamari with Citrus Sauce" and some freezer burned, salty soy sauce covered calamari. I rarely, if ever, send back food and this time I did. The only way to enjoy this restaurant is asking the sushi chef to make you what he wants and ignore the menu. If you are picky and dont like spice and trying new things then this is not the place for you. If you could overlook these quirks, some of these legendary rolls will be what you will compare other higher end sushi restaurants to.

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Freshest Sushi Ever
By Krissy1 from northwest Chicago, January 2, 2009

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Sit at the bar and watch Mike work his magic! Tell him if you want it spicy or not, he will listen to you! Relax and enjoy the show! Yes, you do need to allow some time to eat here, but you are with friends and you should have brought something great to sip on! It is a BYOB resturant! He will make a sushi lover out of anyone! I know, I have brought friends who have said they don't like it and watched them enjoy every bite!

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Worst Japanese Food in Chicago
By LizF from Andersonville, December 31, 2008

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I tried this place for the first time last night. I live in the neighborhood so I thought I would give it a try. It pretty much was the worst Japanese food I've ever had. I've lived in Japan so I guess I've been spoiled by good sushi. They are tastier and less expensive places to get sushi in Chicago. The worst part of eating bad sushi is being charged high prices. The fish was cut in very thin slices and tasted salty and old. My boyfriend tried an udon soup, which was bland. It didn't taste like any udon soup I've ever had. The service at Tanoshii was also incredibly slow. Never go here if you like good sushi.

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Sushi Guy
By Bobbie from Lincoln Park, November 10, 2008

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Intriguing and excellent specials from Mike. Unquestionably the best sushi in Chicago. Have taken five groups from out of town there, and they all rave about his food.

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Will be going back soon
By FoodieInChicago from Uptown, September 19, 2008

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Went early on a Friday and watched the place fill up with people BYOB-ing. Tako seaweed salad was fresh and the 3 rolls from the menu were large and tasty. Created a special roll and were not let down (scallop & mango). Rolls were a little spicy, but delicious and fair priced. Servers were friendly and attentive. Will go back soon!

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Worth trying once for the food. Service is so-so.
By John from West Ridge, June 27, 2008

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We read the mixed reviews and decided to give it a shot. I ended up agreeing with both camps--the food was great, but the service and pacing needs a lot of improvement. Mike's special rolls are interesting, creative, very tasty and unlike other sushi I've had. Downside: a little pricey ($19 for the one special roll). Another (non special) roll we had, a fried seafood maki, was very good although rather small. The service started out well enough. The young lady asked if we'd been there before, and was informative about explaining Mike's specials. After that, it was hard to get eye contact from her or other servers when we needed something. When we were done and had the credit card sitting on the edge of the table, various servers walked by six times without acknowledging us or grabbing the check. It was a Thursday night, the place wasn't crowded, and there were three servers working this small place. I'm glad we tried the food, but we won't be back unless we hear they've improved their service.

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Excellent!
By ckay from lakeview, June 13, 2008

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We had a great time a Tanoshii. The food was excellent-highly recommend the fish and chips. Service was very friendly-a little slow but we were with a group and it was nice not to be rushed.

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Totally Over-rated!
By Eatin-man from Wrigleyville, May 16, 2008

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What's the big deal on the sushi here? The Mike's specials are a hash of fish with enough hot stuff and spicy mayo to bury and of the subtle flavors of the fish. The other rolls and pieces are good enough, but nothing to write home about or make a special trip for. Tanoshii clearly has its loyalists, but I won't be one of them. The service and narrow L-shaped space, combined with the over-rated sushi, mean this is low on my list.

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Fabulously Unique!
By pidgeon92 from waukegan, May 1, 2008

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While I would agree with other reviewers that the service leaves something to be desired, I think the sushi here is some of the best I have ever had. These are not the same tired rolls you see everywhere. They are unique, with spice combinations I would not have expected. I am very much willing to forgive the less than stellar service to eat these amazing rolls.

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