SushiHana Ballantyne — Restaurant in Charlotte

A two-part tragedy of bait-and-switch and vomit.

Edit: Their reply to this review shows just how much they don't care. In my review I stated I spoke to 2 different managers, it looks like they didn't even read the review.

First, let me tell you what happened several months ago. We purchased a gift card from the other Sushi Hana in Charlotte, which at the time was the only location. They later opened another location. The gift card said on the back that it was valid only at that first location, but since it was made before they opened the other one, they said it would be fine at both.

A few months ago, we went to this location. It was brand new at the time, and they didn't have their card processing online yet. We gave them our gift card, and the manager said "We can't take gift cards right now, but we can take this one and ones you buy here soon once our card processing is up." Notably, she included our specific card that we had bought at the other location. She didn't just say "we can take gift cards later", we talked about the fact that we bought this at the other location, and she confirmed that is okay, and it only had that disclaimer on the back because there was only one location at the time. We had to pay out of pocket that time since NO cards could be taken, which was annoying, but understandable.

Fast-forward to a couple days ago. It is my birthday. We remember what happened with the gift card, so we called before-hand. The lady who answered said "yes, we can take Sushi Hana gift cards". We went there, showed the card to the receptionist (the same person who answered the phone) and she said yes, we could use that card.

The all you can eat sushi was tasty, if a bit slow. However, after eating a few rolls (mostly salmon, tuna, and a rainbow roll) I became violently ill. I went to the bathroom and threw up a lot. I then sat at the table and sipped water hoping I would get better. I didn't, and had to go to the bathroom again to vomit up the rest of what I had eaten.

When I got back, my family had tried to pay and informed me that they refused to take the card. Apparently the store is under new management now. They said they couldn't take the card since it was purchased at the other location. However, we had been told by staff 3 separate times that it was usable. First by the manager the first time, second by the receptionist on the phone, and third by the receptionist after seeing the physical card.

However, they continued to refuse. Despite telling us we could use it, they tried VERY hard to not let us. This, if you didn't know, is the definition of a "Bait-and-switch" scam. Tell the customer one thing, then switch stories afterwards to get more money.

I was not going to allow them to scam us like this, and they eventually agreed to take it.

I do want to note that yes, the card said it was usable at the first location, and I was well aware of that. If that had been all the info I had, I would not have tried. However, because the manager told us that didn't matter and we could use it there months ago, and then that was re-affirmed twice by staff on the day of the visit, I was not worried. I did my due diligence and trusted the word of the employees, only for the current head manager to walk back those promises and try to get more money from us.

I was so mad about the card, I didn't even mention the vomit because I didn't want them to think I was trying to use that to get them to take the card, like they were supposed to, or that I was trying to get sympathy. They needed to take that card on its own merit, and me vomiting wasn't as bad as them trying to pull a bait-and-switch on me.

Of course, this means I won't be returning. Even if I didn't empty my birthday dinner into a toilet. I do not recommend anyone visits...

Went to Sushi Hana yesterday to see how it was. I was sadly disappointed. I've tried AYCE sushi restaurants all across Charlotte, other cities, and other states, and this was a bit of a let down. Mr. Tokyo is probably their biggest competitor and I think overall Mr. Tokyo does it better.

I ordered some hot apps to start. Crab Rangoon should NOT be called that and instead cream cheese rangoon. You cannot see or taste any crab. Felt like I was eating fried cream cheese. The gyoza was fries compared to pan seared. I prefer pan seared but the issue I had with them here is that they were cold when they came out on the inside. I also tried the calamari and it was completely inedible. It was so chewy and tough I could not even chew it to swallow it. It also is fried but the coating was wet and soggy and not that crispy fried feeling at all. I had to ask someone else to eat it because I couldn't do it I was very grossed out.

Now for the hibachi, it was okay. They only gave me 4 pieces of protein with the hibachi, which is fine because I can always order more, and the yum yum sauce felt like I was just eating mayonnaise there was no sweetness to it. Rice was VERY hard and crunchy.

Lastly, for the sushi portion. The roll I got was okay. Mr. Tokyo has the same exact roll and Mr. Tokyos was better. Nothing specifically wrong about the roll but rhe avocado overpowered the taste of the fish and the rice, once again, was hard.

Everything else I got was nigiri. Their nigiri was fabulous. No complaints at all. Good thick pieces of fish and a good fish to rice ratio. Typically AYCE will slam rice into the nigiri to save money and fill you up, but they don't do that here. The nigiri is very very small. Probably the smallest pieces of nigiri I've ever had from any sushi restaurant but I really don't mind and I enjoyed the size! Their rice was still a little hard but much better.

Overall, other AYCE is better than Sushi Hana, especially considering the price. Sushi Hana does have a better atmosphere, nicer staff, and better customer service, but I do not think the price is worth it here UNLESS you go strictly for nigiri or things similar. Truthfully, I don't think I'd go back. I'd rather save money and go to Mr. Tokyo or spend similar money for better quality but less options...

i went out to eat with my boyfriend’s family last night and we were sat at a 6 top table in the bartending section. when we were seated by the hostess no one ever came over to introduce themselves to us as our server or bring us appetizer plates, sauce dishes, or wasabi. it took about 15 minutes for someone to finally come over and ask for our drink orders. it was one of the bartenders with dark hair who was actually very nice, but i could tell she was very busy with other tables which isn’t her fault. after getting our drinks and menus we were able to order but as our first round of food came out, we still weren’t given any plates or wasabi, unfortunately i did have to get up and ask the hostess who our server even was because we had no idea who to ask for these items. the hostess stated that the section we were sat in was shared by all the bartenders (there was two at the time from what i could see.) our hostess ended up being the one to bring us the wasabi and sauce dishes (thank you and i’m sorry) and at this point only the dark hair bartender was helping us. the blonde girl only ever came over towards the end to pick up empty plates. again, no one ever checked up on us during the entire meal and we kept having to ask food runners for items. i am a bit disappointed because the last time my boyfriend and i came which was literally a couple days ago, we had the best service ever when we sat in the left section of the restaurant, i don’t remember her name but she was a tall blonde girl and she was literally the sweetest ever, constantly checked up on us, asked if we needed refills, and super polite! i guess the only reason why im complaining too is that i noticed when another 4 person table sat down behind us, the blonde bartender immediately brought over menus, plates, and wasabi to them. so my boyfriend’s sister thinks its because our bill had automatic tip added therefore they didn’t care which is definitely disappointing. i was super excited to show them this place because me and my boyfriend really like the food but left with a pissed off...