Sushi Hut Grill & Bar — Restaurant in Oak Ridge

Wanted to love this place really bad after discovering it next to the massage place I went to one day.

I was initially excited about the beverage program. Great sake at great prices and a buy one get one 50% off deal after 9PM. Classic neighbor sushi and the flavors of the specials were great, but the service and vibes just didn’t match the genius of the concept.

This is my review after 2 visits.

During my first visit, I fell for the prices, but definitely felt judged for ordering 3 drinks (didn’t finish my one of the drinks).

As a grown woman who had just lost her home and job, moved to a new city, started a new job, got into a car accident and law suit within the span of 2 weeks, I should be able to find a comfortable place to drink and zone out without judgement. Unfortunately, that place was not that.

The server, a man who’s probably in his late 30’s felt comfortable enough to make faces when he came by, no matter if it was clearing the table of some clutter or dropping the check. I tried to rub it off the first time, as it is quite strange for a solo diner to be indulging in a couple sakes and a beer, but my second visit solidified the fact that the server was just rude.

During my second visit, I indulged in 2 beers total and was completely kind to the server. Please and thank you’s are just the basics, but I had an extremely accommodating and understanding of his job attitude, especially since I had served tables for years. Him? When he got weeded, he felt it was okay to give me attitude and make me feel like my presence was an annoyance.

Initially, I sat outside, the whole seemed to be the manager or owner sat at the other table and smoked a cigarette.

In every restaurant job I’ve worked, people do that stuff in the back, not the front when guests are present, but do you, I guess. That made me uncomfortable as I am not a fan of cigarette smoke, and the wind was blowing it all over me. Ew.

After I transitioned inside, because it was too busy out, I told the server that it was fine he could come to me whenever he had a moment, but he straight up neglected me. That was fine. But it’s a small space and him putting on the kiss ass attitude to so many people while completely giving bad vibes to me was uncalled for. Especially since I was so nice and understanding of how busy he was. I was looking to order another roll but just went to another establishment mid meal because why should I waste my money in a place that clearly is okay with disrespecting their guests?

By the end of that experience, I felt like I was serving him, not the other way around. Ok guy. I’ll be understanding to you because I’ve worked your job before, but because I’ve worked your job before, I see your character. Shame on you. You probably know I served and would tip regardless of your performance, so you decided to give the worst one. Smh.

Other than that, food was pretty good. I’ve only tried their sushi, and though the can be a little over the top with the spicy mayo (which is slightly sweeter than most places I’ve tried), they don’t lack creativity just because it’s another neighborhood sushi spot.

The uni shooter is my personal favorite. Lots of layers in that dish, from savory sipping entrance to great chew on the tobiko to umami and decedent finish of the uni. Must try if you have an acquired palate.

The nigiri’s are great in size and good value.

If you have an open week night and wanna hang with some friends over some drinks and not care too much about service and just enjoy good food for good price, this is a good option.

If you are sensitive to vibes, try...

BITTER/SWEET! 1st - The BITTER …Tonight was a DISASTER!!! I’ve been here before. But didn’t expect what I was about to experience. The guy at the register said in a very Blunt and Rude tone “We’re Closed!” A few groups overheard this that were in front of me, while looking over their menu. And after he was so unsympathetic towards my confusion they just were turned off and Left! He was very Unprofessional and decided to take my order, now that they just lost a customer group ahead of me. I then proceeded to ask for his name after I put my order and received it promptly. He stated that his name was “S\\”. Next I requested to get the manager or owner’s name from him. To my Surprise he Refused! And once again as calm as I couldI I asked for the managers name. He refused He said. Come back another time. I was shocked and disappointed. I don’t like writing things like this in a negative manner. But people need to know and be treated with respect and courtesy. I should know. I’ve worked in a job with entertainment for over 20 years now.

I hope the owner reads this and even responds. I understand that they stop orders perhaps before they close, …maybe. But this is confusing if you get there 15-20 minutes before their posted close time. So my suggestion is to hang a sign on the door “Closed”, if your leaving the door open, so no one is unaware the they are taking no more orders.

The Sad thing about this review is that all before tonight I’ve had Great Service at this place. With 5 Stars posted!!! The personal was very nice and patient and helped me with my order.

I’ve even Bragged about this place as well to other friends, as well as suggested they go eat here.

But tonight the fryers were shut down. So I had to get just plain cold Sushi instead of my Favorite Tempura Sushi Rolls. It was ok. But I know what this place is capable of.

I just Hope the Owner is paying just as much attention to the 1 stars as well as the 5 stars. People in these comments are not making this stuff up. It’s really happening.

So while I recommend the Food that’s Excellent from what I have had in the past. Come early, before the fryers shut down. And before they stop the ordering line I guess. Eventhough the door isn’t locked.

I hope they get this fixed for customers to know in advance and take care of the Rude Employees that other reviewers have mentioned, that might be hindering the ones that are Nice!

Now 2nd - The SWEET Part …is that I gave a Raving review months ago! So I still plan on going back, and have optimistic positive high expectations from this place...

Soooo customer service is definitely not on their list. They mess up your order and want to hold you accountable for their mistakes and try to cheat you into paying for both entrees. First time here with my friends, we wanted to try somewhere new and at first we waited to get sat, they said 5minutes and it took about 20 and we understood because we worked in restaurants and know many places are short staff etc in these days and age. We know how to keep busy so we had no problem waiting. Finally they sat us and I won’t get into details on this part as the server was new so we won’t knock him. Keep doing ur thing!! However the REAL issue came when we received our food. My friend ordered the sushi hut fried rice with wings and some maki rolls. It’s our arguing first time here so we did not know what to expect so we got sushi but she was missing her rice. So we asked the server and seemed there was a misunderstanding on the entree. No biggie right. Nopeeee. Manager came to us and told us we have to pay for both entrees as we had a piece of the sushi. My friend asked why if it’s not what she wanted and they seriously started going back and forth. I stepped in and I told them the correct way to approach this situation instead of coming at a table of woman and coming at us so strong he can simply take the sushi off the plate take it away, make the rice take the sushi off the bill and we all can move forward. We have the money to pay but it was the way the situation transpired/the principal. Why are we hell accountable for their mistake? It was really an easy fix. Then another employee comes to our table as well to back up the other guy. Embarrassing. So we told them forget the rice we will pay for what we have. Got most of our food to go as we felt really uncomfortable. It is what it is but that is not how you treat ppl. So hopefully they learn better customer service because instead of just loosing out on $8 they lost out on...