Comments on: Sakae Sushi is Betting That You Care More About Fun Than Value

By: Ryan Goldschlager

Ryan Goldschlager — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:38:29 +0000

I’ve never seen this place over half full and i walk by at luch 3 times a week.

I noticed there is another outpost going up just east of the W. 4th st. subway stop. Maybe they figure village tourists and students will fall for their charade.

By: wayne

wayne — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:13:25 +0000

I admit it: I have become obsessed with figuring out when Sakae will go out of business. Yesterday: 12:45pm, place was about 35% full. They must be on the ropes by now…I wonder why they hane not considered changing their business model of a poor variety of marginal food at exhorbitant prices because it moves on a belt? Zach, maybe you should mail them a proposal offering your consulting services.

By: wayne

wayne — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:54:11 +0000

Late update: Walked by Sakae at 12:30 today when OMS/B had a line out the door – it was deserted, maybe 25% full. That doesn’t bode well for the no-good Singaporean conveyor belt rip-off artists.

By: Chee

Chee — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:10:23 +0000

I would agree with the post. I enjoy “kaiten” style sushi as well, and was really disappointed by this place. I tried it at the beginning of February, and maybe it was just having one of those “soft opening” type weeks, but it says a lot that I haven’t been back since.

The belt selection of sushi was pretty poor, and this was at the start of lunchtime, when they should have their best stuff. Instead it was exactly as Zach said, barely better than deli bought sushi.

The best strategy to salvage a decent meal is to order some dishes off the menu. That is, do NOT count on just eating off the belt to get full. So, really, there isn’t a whole lot to go to Sakae for besides the novelty. Better sushi can definitely had elsewhere.

By: Thank you. I love you.

Thank you. I love you. — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:41:15 +0000

I like fun as much as the next guy. But I have to say conveyer belt sushi doesn’t excite me that much, particularly in midtown and for lunch.

If I was downtown in a sake-filled night of craziness, I could see conveyer-belt-sushi adding a fun, Lost-in-Translation vibe to an evening. But for lunch I want value and would prefer to forage for myself at cafe zayia.

By: big

big — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:00:03 +0000

Hey, the pic that you put up shows ika sushi and it looks far from scallops? You might have made a mistake.

You know what… you’re absolutely right. It was squid. There is no scallop on the menu. That explains the chewiness… it was still not that good. I’ll correct the post… -zach

By: Inane

Inane — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:46:06 +0000

I’ve had it twice. Zach’s review is spot on.

The ratio of belt to tables seems very off as well. At the old Genki they seemed to have it right, but this seems like they have waaaay too much belt for the number of seats. Most of the stuff on the belt is just.. .well.. odd. You’d think they’d fill the belt with the basics and leave the tofu skin stuffed with egg salad on the menu for the three people who think thats a good idea.

By: Angie's Matt

Angie's Matt — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:20:17 +0000

Not to mention that it’s a common rule of eating that you NEVER go for sushi on a Sunday. Gross.

By: Zap

Zap — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:09:42 +0000

Wow, bummer! I’m so disappointed plus I work right around the corner. I did notice the last two times I walked by (at high lunch time times) there were lots of empty booths. I was hoping it was because the place hadn’t been “discovered” yet – But …..

By: Danny

Danny — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:07:47 +0000

oh man, that is seriously disappointing. i actually walked by on a sunday (yea don’t ask why i was in midtown during the weekends, total waste of time), and they had a sign for all you can eat for like $30 bucks from 12 to 4 or something. maybe you can call and ask about that, and if they are still doing it, go buck wild.

Just to prove what a rip off this place is, their Sunday, $25 all you can eat “buffet” only applies to the $1.90 and $3.90 plates. $6.90 plates are not included in the buffet… i.e. no rolls! -zach