Denton Sushi Jamboree

I’m the first to admit, I’m no sushi connoisseur. I like what I like, and every now and again I’ll get adventurous with some new kind of sashimi, but I’m never going to be the dude ordering a big bowl of octopus dongs or anything like that. We’re fortunate that Denton is big enough and has the interest to sustain multiple sushi joints, though what’s unfortunate is the tendency around here to give bad places a pass just to keep variety for variety’s sake.

• Avocado California Roll and Sushi (2430 S Interstate 35 E):  This place is not too bad.  I would say if you are looking for an entry-level place, this would be a good place to go.  It’s certainly not what I would call authentic, but if you’re looking for a for-reals sushi experience, you should probably stay at home and learn how to make the shit yourself.  Avocado has a pretty aggressive menu of weird rolls, so it’s a pretty safe bet that anyone can find something they’ll enjoy.  They even offer a California roll with fried chicken stuffed inside it, which I’m not ashamed to say I ate the hell out of.  The service is good, and the space is nice, though they are in one of the worst imaginable spots, real-estate wise.  If you didn’t know where it was already, you’d probably never know it was there.  But definitely worthwhile.

Yup.

• Keiichi (500 N Elm St):  The good-this joint is totally legit.  The menu changes daily depending on which fish is currently awesome.  Keiichi gives you the most honest sushi experience you’ll find pretty much anywhere.  The bad-pretty much everything else.  Seating is limited to 10 people.  Service is balls.  And I don’t know about you, but I feel like an asshole after paying $15 for a spicy tuna roll, and then have to share an eating space with drunken lawyers out having ‘salaryman night’.  But if you’re into that, go to Keiichi.

• Royal East Asian Cuisine (1622 West University Drive):  Royal East looks ghetto, and it kind of is, but it is also tied with J Sushi for my favorite place.  It’s really a Korean restaurant that also does a little sushi, but it does it all really, really well.  Nothing suffers.  The service is hands down the best service I’ve ever had in any restaurant.  The head dude in charge (Collin, I think? The white guy who meets you at the door.) knows EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING on the menu, and even got me to re-try sake after a previously disastrous experience.  It was totes good.  The sushi menu has a nice variety without being totally balls-out, and it’s always been super-fresh and tremendous.  The traditional Korean offerings are also way good and prepared with flair.  Slightly pricey, but worth the money.  Also, my secret record shop spot is conveniently located next door.  OR IS IT?

• I Love Sushi (917 Sunset St):  I don’t understand why people have such a boner for this place.  Truly awful.  Squishy is their mission statement.  Please do me a personal solid, and don’t go here.

• J Sushi(1400 S. Loop 288):  My personal favorite for the past couple of months.  J Sushi is pretty new, nestled on a strip corner next door to a Buffalo Wild Wings, but don’t let that fool you.  The worst thing I can say about this place is that it has a vague sports bar vibe, in that they consistently have ESPN on the giant TV over the bar, but the sound is never on, so it’s never intrusive.  The space is huge, with plenty of seating both at tables and at the bar.  Service=quick and attentive.  Most of my experiences here have been lunch, where they offer a gigantic bento box for round-eyes.  Every bit of it is terrific, and you have 7-8 different ways to customize it.  Along with Royal East, my highest recommendation.

Bear in mind I’m probably leaving some places out.  Also, I passed on any grocery store sushi.  While I hear that the university Kroger makes some respectable rolls, I’ve been burned one too many times on deli sushi.

Score(s): Avocado gets a 3/Keiichi gets a 3/Royal East gets a 5/I Love Sushi gets a 1/J Sushi gets a 5 out of 5.