Sushi Popo
| Address: | 725 Mormon Trek Blvd, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA |
| Phone: | +1 319-338-7676 |
| Site: | sushipopoiowa.com |
| Rating: | 3 |
| Working: | 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 36
Reviews 5
MA
Matt Uhlman
Every time we drive by Sushi Popo we talk about how we need to try the place if for no other reason, because of the name! We were very excited that now we get to talk about how good the place is, along with having the most interesting name in the area. We sauntered around 8 pm on a night when both of us got off late. The place has a good amount of seating along with a couple private-ish rooms along the left side of the restaurant. Theyre basically cubicles with some cutesy decor and provide a little more intimate space. Unfortunately, we were also privy to the conversation of the ladies in the adjacent private-ish room and learned all about "why I like, totally like insert trendy item here." The lack of music in the place made it easier to catch up on what everyone else was saying, but overall its a minor point. If they added some background music the place could go from good to great. The food was pretty rad. Were used to good sushi thats relatively inexpensive and hadnt found it until now! We started off with some crackling rice soup and they were nice enough to split it for us. Soups were plentiful and ranged from $2 to $3.50 for a decent size bowl - definitely enough to split as an appetizer. It was incredibly fresh and different than what we expected given the Chinese influence - we figured itd be MSG broth w/ some veggies, but were pleasantly surprised! The majority of the rolls were under $6 and they had a 3 for $12.99 special that included some of our faves! The LA roll (BBQ salmon skin) was superb and this is the first place weve found on this half of the country that does it well. The spicy tuna had some kick - but not too much - and was tasty. The spider roll was excellent, though they didnt have the end piece with the legs sticking out - didnt take away from the flavor, just the 4 year old in me that thinks its fun! Finally. The Alaska roll was also quite nice - salmon skin, crab, cream cheese and avocado I believe - very good! The only thing that was different from what weve had before was the use of lettuce in some of the rolls - overall it didnt detract, but did add more color. Presentation was excellent and the service was quick, though we came later in the evening so we cant comment on when its busy. They almost always have a coupon from the "Valu-pack" that gets you something on the order of $5 off your meal. We got out for around $25 w/ drinks and were full when we left. The other dishes they serve ranged from the supermarket Chinese dishes (Which we love!) like General Tsos to more classic Japanese dishes like Yaki Soba and Udon noodles. Bottom line - this is the first place in town that weve found that serves solid sushi and doesnt charge $13 for a California roll. Youll get good sushi, friendly people and wont spend a ton. This is a place well be back to and somewhere well be recommending to others looking for sushi in the area!
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A Private User
May 6, 2013 service was ridiculous. We didnt complain or ask question because we didnt have anything better to do, but we had to wait 40 minutes for our appetizers and then over an hour and a half for our entrees. A very irate customer asked the waitress what was going on. We were witnessing those who ordered sushi receiving their dishes right away. Apparently, in the kitchen, there was only one chef and the manager was out. The irate customer, after waiting an hour and a half, refused her dish and left. The waitress never apologized or offered anyone a discount or free dinner. When asked why things were taking a long time, they were not apologetic at all. They even said "Were just really busy." This is unacceptable. I understand that kitchen situations are not the wait staffs fault. That can be difficult to mediate, so I initially felt sorry for the waiter and waitress working. However, when they couldnt offer an apology or even communicate to people how long hot food was going to take, they were really asking for low tips and angry customers. The food, however, is very delicious. This is unfortunate because they need to have staff that cares about the customers. Im not sure what has gone on recently, but this has not always been the case. I would say they need to better train their staff when kitchen emergencies happen to communicate and apologize to customers. I would be wary of going again. If I do, I will order carry out.
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A Private User
We went for dinner Friday night. I ordered the 3 roll sushi special, and my boyfriend ordered the Generals chicken. When they brought his entree, I was informed that mine would be another 30 minutes because they were out of sushi rice. Seriously?!? Thats like a sandwich place running out of bread! We were meeting some friends and didnt have time to wait, so my boyfriend generously split his with me, which was very tasty. I wasnt offered a different entree, or even an apology for this ridiculousness. About halfway into eating part of his entree (maybe 5 minutes), our server brought my sushi! Apparently, some sushi rice magically appeared. I was already half full of his entree and rice (after being told that mine was essentially an afterthought), then had all of my sushi rolls to eat. We didnt even receive our bill to object to. My boyfriend took out his credit card and laid it on the table, as we were in a hurry. A different kid who was not our server, swooped by and grabbed it, taking it up to the front to run it. He brought back the bill with no changes made to it, having run my boyfriends card without even giving us a chance to review the bill. I swear, it happened so fast, we didnt really have time to react. The sushi wasnt even that spectacular. Thats my last time there and, having been a server in the past, am truly one of the most patient guests to dine. Well take our business elsewhere.
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Kiki Wennstrom
Two words: Sushi Poo-Poo. Would definitely have to agree with previous reviewers on that. The customer service and food quality was down right trash. There was only one other table there, and the food took an hour. All the "sauces" that came with our food were extremely watery, with no flavor. The fried rice that the server recommended to us was very mushy and again, not flavorful. Worst food Ive ever experienced. Then when kindly complaining about the food to the owner, she just bursted into tears and ran out of the store saying just to leave and that shell pay for our check, which wasnt what we were aiming for at all. It was very uncomfortable and bizzare. Then on the way out the waitress stops us and forces us to pay, and while we were doing that there was a guy sitting there at a table with no food facing us, completely staring us down. That was very uncomfortable and creepy as well. The place itself was just gross in general anyways. DONT waste your money here! ANYTHING IS BETTER. down right #sushipoopoo
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James Morris
Awful experience! My date ordered a chicken dish and I ordered sushi. My sushi came ten minutes after her chicken dish was brought out. Also, one of the waitresses continually bothered us about "changing out our soy sauce bottle" which, after I finished my sushi rolls, I informed her that she may. Right as she left the room where we were seated, she made a loud, snide remark to the rest of the wait staff about myself and my date. We asked to speak to a manager and two young men parading as "managers" came out and proceeded to ask us what "we think they should do about it?" All we wanted was an apology, but when the waitress came out to apologize, she said she was only sorry there was a "misunderstanding". They were so gracious as to offer to take $10 off our bill but later came back, saying that they had already run the card and there was nothing they could do about it. We left insulted and exhausted. Worst restaurant experience ever!
