Sushiville in Portland, Oregon: Restaurant Review

With the Pacific Ocean only a few hours away there is a plethora of sushi places in the Portland, Oregon area. Everything from cheap $1 a plate joints to the higher end of the spectrum serving the elusive Fugu sushi. I'm an absolute sushi addict and have tried dozens of places. The best I've found yet is in a small restaurant tucked into the delicate Nob Hill area. It's called Sushiville and is a non-traditional "sushi-go-round", meaning it places the food on color coded plates on a conveyor belt for you to choose from.

It's quick, convenient and the price is perfect. It costs about $1-$3 per plate and each plate has 3-5 sushi rolls on it. You can also get things like steaming bowls of edamame, teriyaki chicken, and mochi ice cream for dessert. They have all the traditional rolls such as the California Roll and Dragon Roll, and then they also have their own special rolls like the Portland roll. Everything is fresh and delicious. The chefs prepare all the food right in front of you and you can still taste the chill of the freezer the fish was stored in as you eat.

The service is wonderful and never surprises me. They have a dedicated team of servers who provide drinks, napkins, and take orders for off-the-menu items or dietary needs. As it should be, the hot food is steaming hot and the cold food is appropriately chilled. I've never had a problem with old fish or cold food in the many times I have visited. For the adults, there is a Kirin Kirin night every Thursday where you can get lagers and sake for $4 a bottle. Children seem to love it just as much as they can watch their food roll by and make their own selections. The portions seem to miraculously small enough for a child yet large enough for an adult at the same time.

Sushiville is the weekly addiction of many of my friends and coworkers. I've spent many hours perched on those bar stools stacking up a rainbow of plates as I happily munch on fresh fish, tasty rice, and locally grown vegetables. This restaurant has just enough seating to make it seem like a cozy little place but fits a surprising amount of people. Visiting is best on a weekend night when the place is packed and the plates are hitting the conveyor belt at an alarming rate.

I would recommend this place for any visitors craving authentic sushi as well as any locals looking for a fun and cheap night out. The best dishes include the Portland Roll, the salmon nigiri, and the crisp edamame.