Sakura Japanese Steak House — Restaurant in Oaklyn

If they’d expand, and put in a hibachi flat grill, or two, they could make a killing. Because the food is four stars and that’s pretty great for a small operation. So I look up a place near my hotel for some Sushi or hibachi place. Sakura pops up a few minutes away. So I figure, ok hibachi and sushi, perfect. I find the very easy. I see the sign, I see this small place, that literally reminds me of an old type “Taco Bell” drive thru. My thought, oh no, this might be a bad idea. I go inside, there are booths and a few tables, and a counter that looks like an old “Taco Bell” ordering counter… but there is a sushi bar(?) kinda of, where the sushi chef is doing his work. I sit at a booth, nice lady comes over with menu, and asks me what I’d like to drink. I’m thinking Sapporo beer, but nope, just soft drinks. Order a ginger ale and settle in. The lady is super gracious with many “thank you” and now I’m feeling good because she’s really gracious! I check the menu, very nice variety of rolls and … yes Hibachi! Prepared in the kitchen not at a table. I’m still digging the polite service. She’s back ready to take my order. I order Miso soup, Kani salad, and two different roles. This “Oaklyn” roll sounds really good, and a black dragon roll. Get the soup and the kani salad. Mind you I’ve eating Japanese food since 1970, as a young man who worked at a Japanese company called “Kenwood Electronics” for those who can remember. And I was taken to some of the best places in NYC by my Japanese bosses. Tatami rooms etc. So, the miso soup is great, the Kani salad is a little spicy, as the lady reminded me before I dug in. Gracious! I’m really into the favors and it’s all very good. Then my rolls come out. ( see pics ) The display looks very Japanese, with a modern touch (colorful). Ok, long story short- Outstanding! The rolls were firm, tasty and about eight pieces per roll. I even thought oh no, folk and knife. But I used my chopsticks, as tradition demands. Best darn Sushi I’ve had in a long while. I forgot where I was, and feeling very good that I decided to stay. The time I was there, the phone was ringing with customer orders on a Sunday afternoon. Every few minutes I could hear the nice lady saying hi to her drive thru customers, as if they were all friends. Now I can’t remember what I paid, but it was worth it. I even left the sushi chef a $5 tip in his jar besides the 20% tip on the bill. I left satisfied, and knowing some Japanese, not much. I knew they were not Japanese, so I asked, and yes, Chinese. But it did not matter, the food was excellent. So I bowed, and left them with a nice “shee shee née” in Chinese (thank you)! If you’re in the area, you should stop and try...

We went here tonight for the first time and everything was great!

Appetizers: Shrimp Tempura & Fried Calamari - I was a little hesitant on ordering the tempura at the price ($11) but it was worth it for portion and taste. The calamari was a small order, but it only cost $4.50 and was delicious.

Entrees: Chicken Teppanyaki Noodles, Shrimp/Scallop/Chicken Hibachi, Sushi & Sashimi Combo and Kids Chicken Rice Bowl. Nobody had anything negative to say about any of the food. We went to Japan about 10 years ago and my hubby said he hasn't had sushi as good as this since then. My daughter got the teppanyaki; she is a pretty picky eater and never had Japanese food. She loved it! I had the triple meat hibachi and it was definitely worth the price ($16). Lastly, my son said his rice bowl was good even though he didn't finish it. My hubby ate all his sushi, but 3 of us had leftovers so the portions sizes were decent.

We went around 7pm and were the only ones there, but 3-4 came in for takeout/pickup. Service was friendly and fast. I would have liked a little more decor and ambiance, it reminded me of the Taco Bell the building used to be. You don't need to dress up to eat here. Will definitely...

Delicious Delicious DELICIOUS!!!!!!

Went to Sakura today early afternoon before Eagles Cowboys game because all the places in Haddonfield and Cherry Hill were packed - whenever I pass Sakura on the pike it never looks crowded and that is solely because the locals utilize the drive through window which is a holdover from the previous Taco Bell - so I went in and right off the bat I was ecstatic that all their lunch specials are 7 days a week which is a big deal compared to all the other places in the vicinity - I ordered the 3 maki roll lunch which at $13 is an insanely good deal - the tuna avocado roll is firmly packed with a generous portion of tuna and very fresh avocado - the jalapeño yellowtail roll was crispy and tastes like the fish just came out of the ocean - my third roll was shrimp tempura which was delicious and very tasty - I got their spicy sauce on the side and that was simply phenomenal - Leo and his staff are very friendly - this place is a Godsend for this part of Oaklyn - I look forward...