Hiro 88 Haymarket — Restaurant in Lincoln

If you are looking for a great, quick lunch to-go, go elsewhere...literally ANYWHERE else! Placed an order online at 9:52 am for pickup at 12:00 pm. I called the restaurant at 11:50 to ensure they received the order, and we were good to go on a 12 pickup. I was told, "Yes, we have the order, and you can pick it up at 12". I arrived at the restaurant at approximately 12:05, and I was advised by the hostess it would be just a "few more minutes" that the order was being "finished up." Meanwhile, a couple entered the restaurant and were seated. After about 10 minutes passed, I asked about the status of my to-go order and was once again told "it's coming." At 12:20, I asked to speak to a manager. After rolling her eyes at me, the hostess reluctantly went to find a manager. Remember the couple that was seated shortly following my arrival at the restaurant? Well, they placed their order and were now eating their lunch. Meanwhile, I was still waiting on a to-go order that was placed 2 and a half hours prior with a noon pickup time. At 12:25 when the manager came out, I was advised that the chicken drumsticks were just dropped into the fryer as the kitchen "did not know what chicken drumsticks were". I was assured that the rest of my order had been ready "for some time" they were now waiting for the "chicken to cook"....meanwhile the remainder of my order was getting cold. At this point the hostess tried telling me in the future I needed to make sure I placed my order at least 20 minutes before I planned on picking it up "as it takes time to cook stuff". I advised the manager and his snippy assistant that the order was placed at 9:52 am and provided him with my email confirmation. The manager said, "Sorry guess we dropped the ball". It was not until I asked what he planned to do to make it right that he said, "Since the chicken is not ready I can take that off your check." I advised him that would not suffice and he offered a 50% discount. Remember that couple from before....they were wrapping up their meal by this time. Finally, at nearly 12:40 the hostess returned from where she had been hiding since the manager came out at 12:25 to bring us our order. She dropped the order on the counter with an attitude as if I had taken nearly 40 minutes to get her order to her. I asked her for a receipt indicating the 50% discount was applied to my check (as the order was placed online and paid for at that time). She said, "If he said he would credit it, he will. You don't need a receipt". I explained to her I did need a receipt as I had no faith in the restaurant's ability to do what they said they would do as they could not accomplish a 12:00 pickup when provided with more than a 2-hour notice. To say she was rude would be an understatement. As someone who orders lunch out daily, I will be happy to provide their fellow competitors with my business...

Went here on a slow Sunday (no more than 15 people in the entire restaurant). Ordered some sushi, crab rangoons and spicy edamame (which I do every time I come and have for years). Crab rangoons came out first and were fine. After about 10-15 minutes we made a comment to one another of where the edamame was? Shortly after it arrived and was super edamame soft and mushy. In fact, I picked up one pod and it broke open! I shared this with the server and asked for it to be remade. A few minutes later the manager came over and says “I heard you had an issue with this? And is holding the edamame in her hands. I share with her the concern and she says “have you ever had this before?” I tell her yes I have and I order it all of the time and it’s never been mushy. She then questions again if I’m sure I’ve had it be because “this is how it’s supposed to taste with the sauce and I’ll make it again but it’ll come out the exact same way.” I look at my daughter and my boyfriend to see if I’m hearing the tone right and they both laugh and give me a look of they can’t believe how she’s talking either so I simply say “I have ordered this for a decade and it’s never tasted mushy and overcooked like this, so if this is how it’s going to come out tasting then I don’t want it.” And she replied “fine I’ll take it off your bill” and walks away.

I cannot believe her demeanor and treatment towards my party as of I was incompetent or trying to get something for free. The item was overcooked and the fact it came out as late as it did was an indicator someone forgot about it! I then went to add my points to my rewards account which are usually done in NO time and I go to look today and they haven’t been “approved by management” yet as the disclaimer says. This is the worst service I have had and it’s not even by the server it’s by the arrogant manager who was speaking down on me and my party vs owning that the food was overcooked. It was a $5 item, I don’t need to scam for that. But the manager definitely needs to have a better approach at how she’s approaching customers and honestly I don’t feel like she’d respond to everyone this way. But I’ll leave out...

Best Sushi in Lincoln. Here is why: The Sushi is fantastic, I would highly recommend the sashimi tuna, fatty tuna, and the Hiro 88 Roll. I will start by saying I love sushi and sashimi. I have eaten it all over America and at some of the best of the best like Koi, Nobu, and Roku in various cities like Vegas and NYC. Downtown there are 3 good options, Dozo, Blue and Hiro. I believe Hiro 88 wins by a razor and I'd give it 4.6 out of 5 overall (I rounded up to 5). Not only is the sushi/sashimi taste a little fresher then the others, their sushi shokunin know how to cut and prep a proper roll or sashimi.

They also have great Chinese style food and seafood, the Salmon Plank is some of the best prepared and flavored Salmon in Lincoln. The bartender knew his business as well, on a previous visit we asked a lot of questions and he could answer detailed questions on several more exotic beers and wines. He also could make a perfect old fashioned.

Sarah, part of the wait staff is great, she was so attentive and our glasses were never more then half full all night even though the place had no empty seats. The location is great, as it is very close to Pinnacle Bank Arena. Also of note, they have a private room in the back that holds up to 30 so its a great place for special occasions. Almost nobody in downtown Lincoln has truly private rooms and I need to have business meetings from time to time and this room with its 70" screen is great!

Its the above reasons they win out over the other 2 downtown sushi places, although those are very good as well. Tip: Happy hour is the best time. All day Sunday and Mon - Fri 3 - 6pm and 10-12am. Discounted Sushi, apps, and drinks.

Overall I would say if you are serious about Sushi try all 3 downtown Sushi places a few times with friends, order a diverse selection of Sashimi and Sushi and judge for yourself. And be brave if you are a little scared of raw fish Sashimi. Sushi grade fish like Sashimi Tuna is just as safe as any other protein and tastes better then Filet Minion that's cooked to a perfect Medium Rare. Trust me, you might have found one of the greatest food your mouth...