Sakura Express — Restaurant in Brainerd

Efficiency, Function, and fantastic food. From a place most would disregard in a heartbeat by its aesthetics.

Driving up to it does not provoke any sense of desire or trust in the average persons eye. It looks sketchy and is surrounded by a rather trashy part of neighborhood.

They don't have much for your typical sense of 'service.' For the most part utensils are all plastic or wooden chopsticks. You grab your own from a counter next to the register, which feels a little awkward for some reason. It really shouldn't, but it just does. Like I'm in full view of every patron and worker so they can judge my choice of fork or chopsticks based on what I'm eating. Table catering is minimal. They will bring your food to you. If you're dining in, they bring it to your table. Getting it to-go, they will carry it to you neatly tucked in a easy to carry bag with utensils as well as plenty of soy sauce packets and napkins. Don't expect someone to swing by and ask how you're doing and refill your drinks. It's all self service. Everything is laid out for you and the fountain drink machine is front and center. Can't miss it. Though I don't like their cups. Honestly their styrofoam drink cups are my largest complaint over all.

The food comes in a plastic bowlish thing. While initially odd, it's really functional and I've grown to love it. Because, that's actually the to-go container. Can't finish and want to take it home? Covers are on the counter with the utensils. Slap it on and walk out the door. No waiting for a to-go box and clumsily flopping your food into it while you get splashed in the face and worry how dumb you look. It snaps on easily and holds well. I've yet to have one leak even when filled with liquids and tipped on its side.

BUT DEAR LORD THAT FOOD!!! They invested everything in the kitchen. The food is quality. Its some of (if not) the best Asian cuisine you'll find outside of the twin cities. Presentation is not really a factor for me after taking a few bites. And I'm someone who won't cook unless I can impress with looks alone. So usually presentation is my number one factor.

Their lunch special is what you should aim for if you're trying to save some money. Its from 11am-3pm. Some of the cheapest high quality sushi you can buy in Minnesota.

I have not tried the drive through nor called an order in ahead of time. Therefore I have no ability to review those aspects.

IN CONCLUSION: If you enjoy function and quality Asian food over aesthetics, this is a must for you. For those who can't get over the look of the place and don't feel like you can trust it. Grab some friends and try it. At least once. You might find your new...

First, I ordered food on the phone with the lady that works there, and I had trouble understanding what she was explaining to me. I was trying to apologize for not understanding and she hung up on me while I was talking. I went to pick up the food and bought two meals with a tip it was almost $50. I tried saying sorry for not understanding on the phone and the workers just look at each other smirked and gave me my food and said nothing. Very poor customer service. We got home and we were very disappointed.The noodles and food tasted very cheap and not very authentic. I think their sushi is decent but the sweet and sour chicken tasted like they had some frozen food they threw in the microwave. The noodles taste super cheap and bland. To top it off they got our order wrong. Just saw reviews that someone had a finger nail in there food and they didn't even get a refund!! Others have had food poisoning and have ended up in the ER. Be careful if you go there. Definitely won't be...

I have never felt the need to post a review being that I have worked in the food service industry myself so I’m very understanding! However, this needs to be out there.

This is the second time we have been here first time food tasted good but my fiancé and his cousin both ended up not being able to be more that 5 feet from a bathroom.. this time… not the biggest problem because again been in the industry myself.. but probably 10 orders plus drive through people ordered after us and got food first we waited an hour before getting ours. But the big problems… a bone over an inch long was in my fiancés chicken that stabbed him right in the gums! (Thank god he didn’t swallow) and the worst part?!?! A species of maggot on my daughter’s broccoli!😳 we brought all the food back and demanded a refund. That big of a bone should be noticed. And a damn bug?! How?!?!?! Will never eat here again. See photos. (including the google results from the...