King Salmon Midtown — Restaurant in Phoenix

Sadly, I have to revise my previous review. This place was amazing up until the past several months. They always served up fresh, high quality rice and large portions of fish.

Lately though it's really fallen off. Portions aren't quite as generous and the nice little touches that really made the restaurant stand out: the super thin lemon slices accompanying all your pieces of nigiri or sashimi, the hand rolls spilling over with fish and FRESH avocado, they’re all now terribly inconsistent.

And keep in mind, as with all sushi, this food is not cheap! Previously, when they paid attention to detail and were more generous with portions, it was totally worth it, but I no longer feel that way.

Also, If you order take-out, the sushi is double the price as dine-in, but there's a catch: there is always a 50% off special for takeout orders. However, all the suggested tip amounts for takeout are based on the doubled price. So if you want to get a roll for takeout and the advertised price is $20, when you add it to your cart it is discounted to $10 but the suggested tip amounts are based on $20!

Very easy to overlook if you are not paying attention---which they are counting on so they can trick you into subsidizing employee salaries by tacking these ill-gotten gains on to an already-expensive bill.

Really?

I feel like you are insulting my intelligence with this stupid, unethical money-grab.

It's very rare that a restaurant remains consistently good over the years as management, wait staff, and perhaps even owners change. At least I got to enjoy this place when it was good, but now I can no longer...

I don't post reviews that often, but I have to let everyone know about this little gem. If your downtown Phoenix, then you have to try out King Salmon near Central and Thomas. Full stop, the flavor and taste of the sushi is scrumptious and fresh. The two brothers, who own the restaurant, are very welcoming and friendly. The menu is extensive and fairly priced. If you go in the late afternoon, then you will get an even better deal with their 50% off all rolls...regular prices for my rolls are about $18 each, but half price makes this meal a great deal! I tried the Las Vegas and AZ Cardinal rolls. Both rolls were exquisite and pieces were very large. Most importantly, fish tasted and smelled very very fresh. The sushi rice was cooked perfectly and the sauce on top was just right.

The restaurant is fairly new, used to be Lenny's Burger, but the two Korean brothers converted the space into a modern and fairly upscale environment. There is something for everyone on the menu, including a variety of alcohol. I'll be telling my friends and family about this place when they come to downtown Phoenix. I will be coming back to get my sushi fix and probably will try out their non sushi dishes as well.

Great place guys...keep up...

King Salmon — The One Where I Ate My Feelings (In the Tastiest Way Possible)

Fresh off another round of “he wasn’t the one but damn it still stings,” I grabbed my best friend Oliver (a.k.a. the man my mom still thinks I should marry) and headed to King Salmon in Phoenix—for emotional support and raw fish therapy.

The vibe? Simple, clean, and clearly designed to keep the focus where it belongs: the sushi. Which, thankfully, did not disappoint. From the first bite of the Lion King Roll, it was exactly the kind of melt-in-your-mouth delicious I needed to keep from texting Beau something unhinged.

The staff? SO nice. Like, “I hope you’re healing and here’s some extra wasabi for the pain” kind of nice. Thoughtful, attentive, and not even a little bit judgy about my emotionally-motivated sushi order.

Oliver kept things light (and only mentioned marriage twice), and the sushi was so good I actually forgot to check if Beau had viewed my Instagram story.

10/10 will absolutely come back. Next time maybe for a celebration instead of a heartbreak… or at least after I’ve stopped assigning emotional...