Restaurant Review: Sushi on Oracle in Tucson, Arizona

Sushi On Oracle is tucked quietly into an inauspicious little strip just north of the Union 76 gas station at the corner of Oracle and Orange Grove in Tucson, Arizona. It doesn't look like much from the street, which makes it the best kept secret in authentic Japanese dining of southern Arizona.

Inside, Sushi On Oracle is the quintessential simple elegance of Japan. Is it a quiet Japanese garden or is it a faux Japanese fish market? It depends entirely on the patron's mood and desire. The décor is casual, yet elegant at the same time. Background music softly playing in the background is soothing and surprisingly not Japanese at all. Seating choices include both dining tables and sushi bar options.

Dress code is what's commonly called "Tucson Casual;" denim or silk, cowboy boots or converse tennis shoes, stilleto heels or penny loafers, it's all welcome at Sushi On Oracle.

Service

The sushi bar chefs notice and respond to everything. They are, indeed, in charge of Sushi On Oracle. Arriving or leaving, the sushi chefs greet each patron with a smile and a thank you. Sometimes they greet in their native Japanese, and sometimes they greet in Americanized English. Either way is equally cheerful, and welcoming.

The servers are equally attentive, and echo the chefs' demeanor throughout each patron's stay. With only about fifty seats in the whole place, one might think that cozy is an understatement, but somehow it seems appropriate for Sushi On Oracle. The servers appear to be in an on-going strategic game, moving chairs and reconfiguring tables as if they are playing a friendly game of chess.

It is rare for a seated party to wait even seconds before menus, napkins and chopsticks are carefully placed at each place settings. Immediately, a beverage is offered. Water and green tea are complimentary, and most customers enjoy that perk to the hilt! Several varieties of Sake and Japanese Beer, as well as Pepsi products are also available thirst quenchers.

Menu Recommendations

Curious about sushi, but afraid to dive-in to eating raw fish? No problem! Sushi On Oracle has a potpourri of baked, grilled, and breaded menu items. One of my regular companions always orders the decadent Ginger Pork, served with a side of green salad and rice. The lunch portion only costs $5.50 and the dinner portion is only $10.50. Melt-in-your-mouth Teriyaki Salmon is $6.00 for lunch and $12.00 for dinner. Tasty Pork Cutlets are also popular grill choices at only $5.25 and $10.00 respectfully.

All meals are preceded by free Edamame appetizer. These soybeans are steamed-and-served-in-the-pods with a light sprinkling of sea salt. Authentic, delicious Miso Soup is also served at no charge, before your entrée arrives. Additionally, a dozen appetizers grace the menu for those with heftier appetites, like my husband. He never fails to say, "We want egg rolls, right?" Served on a beautiful array of greens with a marvelous sweet and sour sauce, the $4.00 egg roll plate easily satisfies four people.

The thirteen salads range from a simple side salad, with homemade ginger dressing, for $2.50 and up to the elegant, one-of-a-kind salad that is a meal in the form of the famous Sushi On Oracle Salad at only $13.00.

The seaweed salad and the salmon skin salad, at about $5.00 each, are over-the-top in flavor and presentation.

Sushi On Oracle is most famous for its melt-in-your-mouth sushi and sashimi menus. A pair of college students introduced me to the Sushi On Oracle experience for the first time. I had never eaten sushi before, and was quite nervous, since I love my meat well done. What is their suggestion for a raw food greenhorn?

Without a blink, "Naturally, a Rainbow Roll!" They said in unison. They explained that the Rainbow Roll, at only $8.50, gives you a rainbow of flavors, served with six to eight types of raw fish, including sockeye salmon, yellow tail, mackerel, tuna, and others in a lucious sticky rice and seaweed roll. With sixteen roll varieties to choose from, Sushi On Oracle satisfies every sushi hunger.

Over twenty choices fill the Nigiri menu options, ranging in price from $2.50 to $6.50. My favorite is the Fresh Water Eel, which is a lovely little plate of two lightly grilled fillets of eel served over a small mound of rice and drizzled with a light fish sauce.

Ratings and Information

Ratings are based on a maximum score of 5.0:

Service = 5.0

Setting = 5.0

Food = 5.0

Price Range = Family Friendly Affordable ($2.50 - $13.50).

Sushi On Oracle is open six days a week:
#6449 North Oracle Road, Tucson, Arizona 85704, phone 520-297-3615:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday through Thursday: Lunch 11:30 to 2:30
Dinner 5:00 to 9:30

Friday: Lunch 11:30 to 2:30
Dinner 5:00 to 10:00

Saturday: Lunch 12:00 to 3:00
Dinner 5:00 to 10:00

Sunday: Dinner Only 5:00 to 9:00