Minato Japanese Restaurant
| Address: | 2697 Spring Rd SE A, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA |
| Phone: | +1 770-432-6012 |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–2:15PM 11:30AM–2:15PM 11:30AM–2:15PM 11:30AM–2:15PM 11:30AM–2:15PM 5:30–10:30PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
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Ian Gaenssley
This is by far one of my favorite sushi places Ive been to besides on in Hawaii. The decor is really inviting. Visually, the people that work there look like they know what they are doing, and are very friendly and host well. As far as the food goes, I was less impressed by the quality (which was top notch), but the care given to the presentation. Things were not slathered with over-compensating sauces, but instead lightly complimented. For example, the mackerel. Im not a huge fan of it, but I saw the pieces and they looked very good so I decided to give it another go. That tiny sliver of lemon on top really set it off, and now its my favorite. The pieces of fish were not overloaded with huge things of rice, instead, the rice was nice and small, and just there to compliment the meat. Wonderful. The waiter, after we ordered some sake, came over with small slices of cucumber and told me to float them in the sake. Ive never tried that before but it really set it off. At first the prices may seem a bit more expensive, but generally it was 2 pieces that came with the order, and they were LARGE pieces. Finally, I dont normally do rolls, but make the last thing you order "The Last Roll". It is amazing. My only complaint is they arent open on sundays! This will be our new go-to sushi spot from this point on.
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N Chen
Not close to the best sushi Ive had but I dont remember having better sushi in Atlanta. Im just being critical because Ive been to Japan a lot. Its not just a sushi place. Its a Japanese restaurant, so they have teriyaki and appetizers besides sushi. The teriyaki was unique. The sauce was good and it comes with sautéed stir fried sliced potatoes as a side. It actually tasted a bit like Chinese - in fact I suspect the restaurant is run by Chinese folks since the character on their front door is in Chinese. Sushi was above average and at a reasonable price. They have a large and thick cut of fish on each sushi and roll which is quite unique and untraditional, but it was so fresh and melted in my mouth. They are serious sushi folks and although their dishes dont taste very authentic Japanese, they are still super good and I plan to visit regularly. Oh, I didnt get a very warm service as some other reviewers are saying, but I did get a peeled orange at the end which was nice.
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A Private User
I travel a lot, seriously, more than any one human should. I have had sushi in every major port on the planet, and this is the place where I go when I come home on the way from the airport. If you can get over the location, which seems to have put the last poster in a tissy, you will enjoy some the best Sushi dishes anywhere. Must haves not on the menu, Cowboy Hat = Slap your Dinner partner good Spicy Albacore Tuna Sushi = Awesome, just Awesome No Name Sushi = Wicked good Pats Sushi = Sweet and yummy (cooked) for the first timers SuperCrunch = Ok its on the menu, but a must have. Dont let the location keep you away from a place the regulars know is the best kept secret anywhere, literally anywhere. Go in an ask for any of the above, you will not be disappointed.
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Suellen Heintz
If you love sushi and finding hidden gem restaurants, this is the place for you! Dont let the odd location of it being behind a gas station and next to a golf store throw you off from trying it. Its family owned and operated. The staff is beyond friendly and they always try to make your experience as memorable as possible. Every time I go there I feel at home as they always remember me and what my favorite rolls are. Its not on the menu, but the Ming 3 is excellent. Just ask the waiter for it. Some of my other favorites are no name sushi, cowboy hats, super crunch roll and the dynamatic roll. Theyre also great about wanting you to experience new rolls and even bring you pieces to try. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the area.
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harvinder dildar
I was introduced to the world of Sushi in this restaurant around 6 years back. Since then I have been a regular here. Have traveled a bit and had sushi in may places but i am still to find a place that matches up to this place. The Sashimi platter and Chirashi bowl is heavenly. The fish is always fresh, the rice is perfect and their Miso soup and ginger salad has absolutely no competition. The service is warm and it feels like home. Even if the food is delayed couple of times due to rush, the owners have been generous enough to send a complimentary roll. Must try is their Ikura roll and crab salad. For last 1 year I have been going their almost every Friday and never been disappointed. Highly Recommended!
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Chris Worfel
Ive been to Minatos multiple times during lunch with positive results, but my first dinner experience was awful. We arrived around 8pm on a Saturday and they were slammed. Every waiter/waitress was flustered and purposely ignored all people walking in. Then we attempted to sit at the bar at non-reserved seats and the waitress panicked and physically pushed my girlfriend away. Along with our unacceptable treatment, the staff never acknowledged the group who walked in after us and were waiting for at least 10 minutes, or at least that long before we walked out. The delicious food isnt worth the terrible service...I will not return!
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Charlie Rose
Super friendly staff. They treat everyone with genuine courtesy. And when you visit there regularly, they will roll out the red carpet for you with little treats and specialty pieces. I love the "no name" sushi. UPDATE: Ive visited here now for the last several years and it is by far my favorite Sushi restaurant in Atlanta and anywhere that Ive traveled to across the country. Maybe the decor is a bit dated but the staff and the food, by far, supersedes anything else. You cannot go there without hearing the staff laughing and joking with patrons. If the food and staff stayed intact Id visit Minatos in a barn.
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A Private User
My wife and I were somewhat skeptical when we walked up to a disfigured door in the back of a sketchy shopping center. Things didn’t get any better when we walked over a fake wooden bridge past an aquarium with no live fish. We ordered sake and a spicy tuna roll to check out the place. The sake was disgusting, but the spicy tuna roll was good so we ordered a few more rolls. When they came to the table they were so unappetizing, we were actually afraid to eat them. We left a generous tip and vowed never to go back. There are so many other great Sushi restaurants in this area, avoid this at all costs.
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Anna Lemoine
Loved it! We had a table in one of the tiny grottos off the main room; it was like our own little dining room. We stuck our two small ones (2 & 4) on the inside chairs so they couldnt escape. All the kids (2, 4 & 12) LOVED the tempura shrimp and had a blast with the decor - a small bridge & mini stream. My husband and I ordered multiple sushi rolls and were highly impressed. This place is NOT cheap but you get what you pay for. We will definitely be back. No signage, you wouldnt know its there unless someone told you about it (a friend of ours recommended) but it was PACKED. For good reason.
