Aiko Sushi — Restaurant in Rancho Cordova

TLDR: Save your money, go elsewhere or learn to roll your own (its not hard!) I think they changed their name from Sky Sushi to try and dodge/delete the honest bad reviews.

Service:

We tried this place on a random afternoon figuring it would be slow and we would get better service. We were wrong. Despite being one of the only customers there, our waiter just disappeared for a long break, and never actually checked on us (we were seated very close to the kitchen too). We ordered 2 rolls, 1 each. When our order came out the server handed us each others' rolls. Not a big deal, but shows he's not paying attention. We even said the order back to him to confirm what roll was what before he handed us them, and he didn't catch on.

Ambiance:

The sushi bar doesn't have barstools, they used the same seats the short tables have. So if you try to sit there like a normal person (I'm 5'7") the bar surface is up to your shoulders. If you're sitting while you read this, lift your keyboard 1 foot up and pretend that's the bar. We tried to sit here first, then realized how stupid it would be to try and relax or eat like this. No idea why they can't just get some barstools that fit? Crazy. So we moved to a sticky booth that still had water all over the top. Ok, got us again, lets move to the next booth. This one was dry-ish. Decor is basic, lighting is too dark.

Food: The reason we're spending money here.

We got a tempura appetizer, $18, but the portion was pretty huge (even though the shrimp was not, come on you can get an 8 pack of tempura shrimp at the restaurant supply for like $4) and it was good, fresh fried.

The sushi? Terrible. I should have taken pics. First, the roll selection is pretty much all the same combination of of stuff (but with all those cringey Sky Sushi names). We picked a few and what came out was rolled with dry old rice, not sticky sushi rice. The fish itself was barely there, just the thinnest saddest little cuts. stack 2 nickels together, that's how thin it was. And generally bad sushi places will at least drown their rolls in sauces to cover it up, but they didn't even do that. All the beer and sake in the world can't make it taste better. Safeway sushi is better than...

'20/2 1st time review, but customer for handful of years: -- Located in a safe, older, tired Rancho Cordova strip mall that's well kept considering. Little transient presence. -- While located on one of the busiest corners in Rancho Cordova and east Sacramento (Sunrise and Coloma), it does not inhibit easy in/out of strip mall--though peek rush hour requires navigating the heavily used three roads adjoining the mall. -- For handicapped, there is parking, but will still be a walk to front door given location of restaurant in mall in relation to the designated handicap parking stalls. -- Always a sandwich board outside and on the wall in small waiting area (see 3 pix posted). Well worth indulging, as chefs are culinary creators in taste and presentation. -- Extensive drink/food menus and other specials (see pix uploaded for all). -- Super impressed with dish/drink choices, visual presentation, and taste of food. Many different sauces, "bedding", toppings, and flavors impresses with each return trip. -- Excellent, attentive wait staff. Kind, informative, helpful, and genuine--not pretentious. -- Pickup counter is to the back of this small restaurant, and restroom past that. -- Booth seating along south wall with table and sushi-bar counter seating taking up the rest of the floor space. -- Did not see if offered booster chairs. -- Yes, bathroom. Did not see quantity...

Found this place on a recommendation of a acquaintance who suggested we try it. We dropped immid week in the late afternoon. A young chief was working the sushi bar counter. He welcomed us and asked what would we like to have. We ordered a couple of apetizer dishes from the kitchen and asked for white fish nigiri. He demurred, and offered sea bass which he suggested was good. It was. We moved on from there. Being sushi traditionalists we ordered all nigiri and a couple of temaki rolls. The fish was delicious, well prepared and beautifully presented. We have been back a few times and had semi omakase meals, which all turned out delicious. This is a real find. Chief Jay is thoughtful, careful in preparing each dish and recommending the best cuts. Truly a master of his craft, one of less than a handful in the Sacramento area. Highly recommended.

Two years later, after a long COVID break we stopped by to see if Chief Jay was still working the sushi bar. To our great relief he was. He served us a wonderful Omakase selection of nigiri sushi. We were coming back from a disappointing sushi lunch in Folsom and made the stop to - ‘clear the bad taste’ from the prior lunch. So we ordered just a small Selection of sushi. It was all perfect! Thank you again Chief for a wonderful experience and a great ending to our day out! We...