Sushi Eye in Motion: Arizona's First Restaurant with Food on a Conveyor Belt

For the past few years, I've wanted to go to one of those restaurants where all the food and drinks go around the restaurant and past each table on a mini conveyor belt, allowing you to reach over and grab a plate of goodies whenever you feel like. Up until a month or so ago, this has not been possible anywhere in the state of Arizona, but with Chandler's newest addition to old town, sushi seekers and fun lovers rejoice, for rawdemption is here!

Sushi eye is incredibly easy to find, just head towards the intersection of Chandler Ave and Arizona Ave and head south about a block to old town Chandler. You'll be able to hang a right (east) into a long area of parking spots. Sushi Eye in Motion is in the building at the North side of the area and you'll have to pass it to park. The restaurant has both regular tables, as well as the counter with the conveyor belt, it's the only one in Arizona, sit at the conveyor belt. When sitting at the conveyor belt, it is very important to sit as close to the start of the line as possible, or you will end up getting the scraps that no one else wanted to grab and will see nothing more than a lot of California rolls coming your way.

If you're in a bit of a rush, there is a regular dinner menu that you can order from where you can get a large plate of one particular type of sushi (again, you're in a restaurant with a conveyor belt, why are you using a menu!), but you'll find that just about everything on the menu will travel past you. The plates on the belt are all color coded and there are convenient signs along the bar that tell you exactly how much each plate is. The best advice I can give when sitting at the conveyor belt is to keep a close eye on your plate count. $4 a plate is not that bad until you glance over to the side and realize you have 10-15 plates stacked next to you.

I am a huge fan of sushi and Sushi Eye in Motion of Chandler does not disappoint. I highly recommend the squid sashimi as well as the ahi tuna and smoked eel (if you've never had eel, imagine a mild version of catfish, it's incredibly tasty!). There are many specialty rolls that come out throughout the night covered in eel sauce, miso sauce, wasabi sauce and the likes. I don't know any of the names of the specialty ones but each and every one was great so it's a bit hard to go wrong. Even if you are not a huge fan of sushi, there are plenty of fully cooked items that will make their way past you, and everything, raw or not is mouth watering. The tempura ship run around $4 for 4 large shrimp, and they are easily the best tempura I have ever had. A house specialty with a bit of an Arizona twist to it also comes out a few times a night, lightly panko battered and fried jalepenos with cream cheese and smoked fish. Those not fond of seafood will throughly enjoy the fried dumplings that pass by.

While I was there, a woman I could only assume was the owner was running around making sure everyone was having a good time, it was some of the most personal service I have had at a restaurant in years. She is quick to make suggestions to both new and experienced sushi lovers alike and will have them create dishes special to place onto the conveyor belt for you and the other guests. Now I know this trip was mostly about the restaurant, but I feel it also deserves its place in the cheap trips section because of the uniqueness of this sushi bar. It is very easy to make it out for less than $50, just pace yourself and keep an eye on your stack of plates.