Great Falls Hokkaido Ramen & Sushi Bar — Restaurant in Great Falls

7/27/23 Revisit: So just my husband and I returned for this visit. Unfortunately, I think I'll keep my 3 star rating.... We visited on a Thursday evening. Restaurant did seem full but there was no wait and we were seated immediately in one of the few tables left. Of note upon entering I did see a "now hiring" sign so did prepare myself in advance for possibly slow service due to staffing shortage. While the atmosphere was once again nice, the service was indeed slow. We had a nice waitress but I think she came to our table a total of 4 times in the 90 minutes we were there- (and that includes the initial welcome and bill delivery), she was pretty busy. But I did see her check on another table with a party of 4-5 people much more than us. I ordered ramen and a basic sushi roll and my husband 1 specialty and 1 basic sushi roll. My ramen was brought out first (quite quickly actually) which I initially thought was nice but then realized it'd be another 45-60 min before getting our sushi rolls so I wound up eating my ramen while my hubby had nothing so it wouldn't get cold. The ramen was fairly tasty. I do like ramen but I'm not blown away by it. I'd say it was descent to fair for the $14 bowl. Our rolls did finally come. They weren't bad but again nothing outstanding. My little 5 piece shrimp tempura roll was average for the $9. And my husband said his rolls were descent. Xtra ginger request and side eel sauce = $1 Xtra each. (No biggie). 2 sodas, 1 ramen bowl, 1 sushi tempura roll and 1 rainbow roll and 1 california roll came to $47. Not unexpected I'd say and they didn't include gratuity automatically this time because there was only 2 of us. I maintain an average rating for this place. Nothing I'm blown away by and I'd likely choose a different place to eat over this one probably 80%of the time.

March 2023 visit: Nice place to eat. Nice atmosphere. Service was great and food was delicious.

I was very disappointed to see them add the gratuity into my total bill. There were 6 in our party at 1 table and although I've seen gratuity added for large parties I've never seen them charge you for the gratuity without your permission, per say (probably happens more than I'm aware, I've just never come across it). $91 bill (for party of 2 people out of the 6- we ordered alot), $108 with gratuity and there was no option to not pay gratuity. My credit card receipt came back with $108 charged and an option to tip more. It's not the gratuity at all that bothers me it's the presumption that you can charge me for it without my consent. I consider myself a very fair tipper but it frustrates me when you presume that you earned a certain amount and charge me for it without my consent (it was noted on the receipt that it would be included in the total bill charged but I had no option to say no). Just crazy to me. Which continues to encourage me not to eat out...

Nice atomospere inside. It’s clean with comfortable seating. Service is a bit slow, even though they seemed to have plenty of staff. Ordered salmon and yellowtail nigiri and a spicy tuna roll. Presentation is average. Somehow the spicy tuna was just bland (how is this possible?) It was also not fresh. It’s always disappointing when you order sushi and you can smell it before you taste it. It wasn’t inedible, but it could have been a lot fresher. It was also an usual color of red - a little too red, like maybe it was dyed? Weird. Maybe it’s the brand of sriracha they use? Portions here are on the small side. I understand things cost more but anybody who eats sushi regularly has a pretty good idea about how big portions should be. Just charge a dollar more and give us regular portions. Also, it appeared that the fish had been frozen. This is what happens when they don’t want to spend the money for sushi-grade fish and “have to kill the parasites”. This is unacceptable. Again, the salmon and the yellowtail were bland, probably due to lack of freshness and being frozen. To top-off the meal, I ordered the Spider Roll. The soy paper was a kind I’ve never seen before - looked and felt like kelp. If you’re going boast that the roll is “wrapped in soy paper”, why use a variety that looks like kelp? The real problem was the roll was more “spring mix” and less “soft shell crab”. It was OK, but not great. I don’t know why, but they really hold back on the wasabi and ginger here. I guess folk in Great Falls don’t really like wasabi or ginger? Anyway, I had to ask for extra, twice, but she brought it out without any trouble. Also, they serve the “low sodium” soy sauce, which in my opinion is just not the same as the full sodium heart-attack stuff. It really does make a difference.

I’ve had good sushi and I’ve had bad. This wasn’t the worst but it certainly wasn’t great. Once the staff gets to you, they are friendly and mostly responsive. The prices here are reasonable, save for the smaller portions. They do have Asahi on tap. Any sushi joint worth it’s salt will have Asahi. All in all, Hokkaido is decent - not great, but OK. I might come back for the ramen, but probably not...

UPDATE: since posting this review, I've messaged the restaurant and received no response! I refuse to support a local business that doesn't treat their clients like they matter! I make it a point to go to Hokkaido at least once every time I come to Great Falls. Unfortunately this last trip was terrible enough that I had to share. I understood that there was an influx of customers on the day I visited (a 20 minute wait) which I had no issues, however when my friend and I were seated, our orders taken and drinks served....I had absolutely no communication from the waitress until 20 minutes of which I actually called her over to find out the delay. Now let me explain....in all of the time coming to Hokkaido, I have never had any complaints about anything, the waitress explained that my order was a "special" order and it takes extra time to prepare...this is the first time in a year that I have ever been told that the sushi sashimi platter took extra time! Not only that but 15 minutes later, still no food and people that had arrived 10 minutes after I was seat were all being served sushi. Now, I've been at the restaurant for almost an hour, so I went to the hostess and explained at that point in time, that I was cancelling my order, to have the waitress start arguing with me about how I ordered the food I have to eat it! The manager came over and explained she would give me a discount, she only computer me my drink and made the order to go...another 10 minutes of waiting to be charged fill price and there manner didn't return my credit card. I am not complaining about the quality of the food, however the lack of professionalism and respect that you would expect for the prices you pay would lead you to expect much, much more firm a restaurant. I don't think I will ever eat here again. Eating out is supposed to be a treat for me and this was the most unpleasant thing I have ever experienced at a restaurant I will auure the manner and owner with the treatment I revived from your restaurant, I will not be...