Sushi Freak Albuquerque Westside — Restaurant in Albuquerque

Got takeout last night for my birthday dinner. First time eating here and I was super excited for the customization options. I don’t eat meat and I have celiac disease, so the options for veggie sushi are often limited.

I called in the order, paid over the phone, left a 15% tip. As someone who has been in food service for over a decade, a typical tip for dine in service is 15-20%, take out is usually less.

I’ve been visiting from out of state and for some reason most of my experiences in Albuquerque have been that the most simple things are difficult for people in food service and retail. So I left a 15% tip hoping that would incentivize the workers to do my order properly. Didn’t work, though.

When placing my order over the phone, I had asked what is in the cucumber salad that is with the teriyaki combo. My mom wanted it and is super picky. The lady responds by telling me the items in the teriyaki combo. That wasn’t my question. A cucumber “salad” makes me think there are multiple items, not just cucumbers, so that’s why I had asked. We just ended up getting it anyway.

It was a Wednesday night and she said it would take about 35 minutes. Which is a long time for 3 rolls and teriyaki chicken combo. 2 rolls were even identical and super basic, no protein, no sauce. But oh well, I go pick it up and thankfully I check my order in the car before I leave. I had asked over the phone for a side of wasabi paste, my favorite part. There wasn’t any. So I went back inside to get it.

I asked a different worker than who rang me up and he was nice, but I glanced over at the worker at the register who made an “oops” face to a girl sitting down, probably the worker who I placed my order with over the phone. He was also playfully throwing things at her. Not appropriate. Also, there was one table dining inside so definitely wasn’t too busy to do my order properly and they had plenty of time.

I had asked over the phone if green onions were possible to have as a topping. She said yes. Well, there were green onions inside of the roll, not on top as a “topping”. I didn’t get protein, a topping, or sauce with my roll, so I hope I wasn’t even charged for that, but probably was.

Anyway, I won’t...

Oh, where to begin. I walked in at 7:10pm, with one other couple in front of me. I left with bag in hand at 7:54pm. It was painful to watch. I have the 3 names of the staff persons that "helped" me, but you could also just look at what 2 girls and 1 guy was scheduled this evening. I try to refrain from including names unless it is to praise them, and unfortunately there will be no praising this evening.

First off, the menu being on the wall facing the front door, and then ordering along the line just isn't the most efficient and sensible way of doing things. After referring back to it once while ordering, I figured I'd just take a picture so I could look at the confusing menu while ordering. I ordered a rice bowl, a rainbow roll, and shrimp tempura. Seemed simple enough. I understand each employee has their "station" but they honestly seemed under the influence (I mean, maybe they have med cards, that's for you to figure out,) and only gave me the wrong combination of an order three different times. Did I mention how painful this whole experience was? Just makes me worried about today's youth even more. I wish that was it, but no, I'm not done.

I'm not sure how this location makes any money because two of the employees gave me the wrong orders and I had to remind each of them I hadn't paid yet. I finally got to pay, (for the correct order 🤞,) and as I write that, I realize now that I'm the fool for doing so. Freak, for sure, but far from fresh.

Still not done. As if it could get any worse. There was plastic wrap in my roll. Wanna see that picture? Because I have it. The salmon is also rancid. Like I said, I'm a fool for paying for such meal. Needless to say, I should have gone next door to the oh so consistent and flavorful (and fresh) Rusty Taco. I will not ever,...

When I first arrived the neon "OPEN" sign was off. I was about to drive away when I saw someone enter who wasn't wearing any type of obvious uniform so I decided to take a chance and went in. They were, in fact, ooen despite the signage. This was my first time visiting and the only way to see what all they offered was via an online option. Given I was next in line, I wasn't afforded enough time to see what all was offered and the associated prices. So, I stepped up and simply asked for a Poke Bowl. Not knowing the prices, began ordering what I wanted along with a sushi roll, drink and package of shrimp chips. When I got the bill, I was stunned and had instant regret. But, I didn't say a word and paid for my meal along with a tip and left. I sat in my car to eat as there wasn't any inside dining available, only carry-out right now due to Covid. There was too much wind to sit on outside patio furniture. When I got to my vehicle, I realized they had forgotten my sushi roll. I went back inside and waited for them to finish making the sushi roll they had forgotten to finish. When originally making the crispy calamari roll, I had observed them drop the calamari into the deep fryer and when they pulled it out of the dryer, I noted that it seemed quite overcooked but didn't say anything as I got distracted in conversation. I wish I had said something. It was definitely overcooked and not good. Additionally, I had horrible fish taste all night that I couldn't get rid of. I don't think the fish in my sushi bowl was that fresh. I have definitely had much better. I was very disappointed as someone else I know had recommended I try the place. Too bad it was such a bad...