In September I wrote about Red Lantern, a pan-Asian restaurant and my first sushi-love in San Francisco’s Richmond neighborhood. So my heart was understandably broken when Red Lantern closed last month. But what the Sushi Gods take with one hand they give with the other. And what they gave was Sushi Delight. Sushi Delight—which opened in the former Red Lantern space on the corner of Geary and 22nd Avenue—is an expansion of the Market Street Sushi Delight. Though that location’s been operating for years, I’d never been and so had no idea what to expect.
My first impression? It looks a lot like Red Lantern. Even got me a little misty-eyed. My second impression? $25 all-you-can-eat-sushi—forgive me Red Lantern, but this place is friggin awesome and holy shit are they gonna regret offering us that deal. Sarah went to work ordering rolls (to this day I’ve never ordered my own roll, so hesitant am I to interrupt the brilliant combos my girlfriend strings together). Sushi Delight’s all-you-can-eat menu offers most of the “Special Rolls” and “Regular Rolls” found on their normal menu with several exceptions, most notably the amazing sounding Voodoo Roll ($14)—spicy deep-fried cucumber—and my personal favorite, the Spider Roll ($10). Their fish is tender, not the just-thawed stiffness you often get at other all-you-can-eat sushi joints. All in all, though, the sushi is just good, not great. Definitely a quantity over quality kind of place. But oh the quantity! We ordered five rolls between two people. I don’t remember how many that makes exactly, but as regular rolls come in six piece sets and special rolls in eight, that’s somewhere between 30 and 40 rolls. Among our favorites were the Lava Roll, a spicy veggie tempura roll that came with something akin to sriracha, and the Super Spicy Tuna Roll, which, true to it’s name, was even spicier than the Lava Roll. Here’s the best part: For four more dollars you can make it all-you-can-drink as well. Sake, Sapporo, soda and oh--sake bombs are an all-you-can-drink menu item. Let me succinctly summarize: For $29 you can eat 40-plus sushi rolls and do sake bombs until you drain their reserves. This deal is every bit as alluring as it sounds, but therein lies Sushi Delight’s only issue. It gets busy. Real busy. I’m pretty sure everyone—like Sarah and I—ordered the all-you-can-eat-and-drink deal and everyone—like Sarah and I—decided they were not only going to get their money’s worth, but that they'd singlehandedly bankrupt Sushi Delight. For several dozen tables they had one waitress and one visible sushi chef; it was at least 15 minutes, sometimes 30, between ordering a roll and getting it. But hey, it’s well worth the wait when the price is good and there’s never ending beer at the table. Don’t Go If: -You want top-caliber sushi or you have an aversion to spicy rolls. Over half their rolls are spicy. -You’re in a hurry or a stickler for prompt service. Go If: -You love stuffing yourself silly with sushi. -You’re a cheap bastard who doesn’t mind gaming restaurants. Sushi Delight: 1946 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 5801 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 9412
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