YO! Cheltenham — Restaurant in Cheltenham

Went for the Bottomless Belt offer (All you can eat) but all we could eat was Edamame, which for 45 minutes of the 90 minutes allowed service, was all we got to see on the belt. Further up the line we could see other customers stockpiling dishes the moment they were loaded onto the belt, because there weren't enough meals being prepared for the volume of customers at the service. In total we ate the same 6 dishes as this was all that was available.

Service was poor, we were only offered a drink upon arrival and were not checked on once during 90 minutes allocation. It would have been apparent to staff that a number of customers in our area were not eating and staring expectantly at the belt awaiting something that wasn't beans, however waiting staff were instead doing their best to avoid our area of ~10 customers, instead focussing on a larger party at the other end of the restaurant. Staff also didn't ask if our meal was satisfactory upon payment, for obvious reasons.

The atmosphere was awkward, we were seated on a perpendicular side table, staring directly at a couple of a date who had obviously asked for a quiet booth, separated by less than a foot wide belt.

Per the T&C's of the Bottomless Belt offer, all members of the party had to participate in the offer. However the table next to us was permitted to have one member of their party not participate with the justification that they were vegetarian...given the fact that all we saw was Edamame endlessly going around the belt this seems a bit ironic.

This was our first experience of YO! Sushi, we don't think we...

The blandest Sushi I’ve ever eaten.

Yo used to be a place of atmosphere, with food flavours and favourites to rival much larger competition. Since the pandemic however, I feel that the chain has fallen from a decent and respectable level to bottom shelf leftovers.

Here at the Cheltenham branch, the Service is always with a smile; it’s easy to get food service when it’s quiet though.

Today I ordered 2 new dishes and 2 classics. Unfortunately the first main dish that arrived was the Tuna platter. What a let down. The tuna tasted washed out, as if it had been kept in a bucket of water, all the fishy goodness and gone and what was left reminded me of the suds left after clean up at home. Compare this to Kibou or any other Sushi place near by and it’s a let down.

Second to arrive was a new large dish, Teriyaki Chicken noodles. Similarly, this dish was lacking complex flavour and was just a barrage of salt and Soy. The chillies gave a nice kick but alas it was too separate from the dish and overall left me feeling it almost be better without them? (I love spice!).

One classic Dish that never disappoints however is the Yo Fries. Generous amounts of chips and toppings which make for a great treat! Similarly with the Katsu Chicken which never leaves my partner without a smile.

I was kindly offered a free pudding should I write a review, this review was not proof read though, and this pudding “Mochi” was splendid. A genuine surprise and something that Yo Sushi used to me a go to for: Small bites, party Food and exciting flavours.

I hope they can get...

Great food but the service let it down. We visited here a few weeks ago. When we arrived the greeter/server said "are you ok?" in a not welcoming way, it was more - what do you want? I explained we had booked a table and was then told we would have to wait outside. I understand there are covid guidelines and we had missed the sign on the window, but I think we could have been dealt with more politely. It was not very welcoming. Once in and seated the ordering was via the app. It would have been more helpful to be able to see a menu and then order online. Again I know there is covid but I have been to other places with wipe clean menus. There was a particular drink I wanted but couldn't see it on the ordering app. I asked the server and she said that it wasn't on the app because they were out of stock - I did say that I could see about 5 of them in the fridge but she just repeated that they were out of stock and completely ignored my comment that I could see them. Again, I think this could have been handled in a nicer way. The food was all excellent but just a little pricey for how much you get. At one stage a delivery driver and 2 customers came through the door, when the greeter saw them she was in a flap and was like "oh, lots of people!" Perhaps she is nervous because of covid but then if you really feel that anxious perhaps you are in the wrong job? I would like to visit again but have to admit the service...