Sushi NiNi — Restaurant in Round Rock

Here to leave a VERY honest 5 star review. I have been coming here since I was 8 years old. Prior to the fire, it was worth coming here for ANY craving even as little as a cali roll or tempura fixation. Post fire the simple rolls are not driving enough to stop by, (cali or anything similar) HOWEVER their specialty rolls, sashimi and nigiri are delightful as ever if not even better. Appetizers will come out relatively quickly, some hot food will be quick, nigiri/sashimi do have a wait, rolls take the longest (30-45 minutes). They are PACKED because they were shut down for a year so they are well loved and people missed them! Highly anticipated return. If you’re an unpleasant guest who is micro fixated on mannerisms, facial expressions, etc… you may think people are impolite but in most cultures smiling at strangers and making eye contact with everyone is not normal. On top of that, this is a SPORTS BAR. It’s going to be loud, busy, and tight. I don’t watch sports, not into it, don’t drink alcohol, not into it, but still… ITS A BAR LOL. What can you expect? Some of you have awfully unrealistic expectations. I was browsing some reviews and someone said they got food poisoning within an hour… it takes 6 hours for onset!!! I have never gotten sick from Sushi Nini and I have been going for 12 years. Anyways, I love going at open because it’s somewhat quiet, you get 1 on 1 with a server, and they run a wonderful lunch special! (Right now, 12.99 for miso, edamame/spring roll/gyoza, and one roll). My only complaint is that if you sub a more expensive roll it’s 5$ charge no matter what the roll price difference is (most expensive roll on list was 10.99 and my roll was 13.99 and I got charged 5$ up charge) Many servers returned with the reopening, but still, 12 years later, they do not hire enough serving staff. I used to apply all the time but they don’t hire anyone? All of my friends have also applied and never been called for interview and we all have a lot of serving experience and are relatively modest with a professional appearance. I cannot understand why + I have 12 years of loyalty lol!! Regardless, low staffing = longer wait. Number in the kitchen has tripled since opening but still no servers. It’s exactly what it used to be really, so it gets my 5 stars. Only thing it could use is fresher starter rolls (cali is probably made in mass in back), more reasonable upcharges, and more staff :) I love Sushi Nini. Will...

Ate here for the first time in years last month and it was AMAZING! Now, first I must admit that my first time trying here was years and years ago, and I had no idea what I was doing or really what I even liked yet. So it was a flop the first time and that was not even the restaurant's fault!

Recently, I was shopping in the area and had plenty of time to waste so I stopped by to give it a try again. It was around 6 or 7pm right before a dinner rush and I was sat almost immediately in a comfy corner of the room with plenty of space by myself. The waiter greeted me with a smile not long after I sat down and I ordered a drink, the "appletini" which was sweet but strong😏 which I prefer, lol, and it really hit the spot on that HOT and sunny afternoon. The service was awesome throughout. My server was super nice and friendly the whole time and I also appreciated how patient he was as I ended up doing some work on my phone while I ate and took my time between orders. I wish I knew his name.. I'd give him a shout out just for that!

The atmosphere was fun and noisy, with alot going on, but nothing chaotic! It was more like a great place to do a date night or a casual friends/family (small) group dinner! Food came out hot when it was supposed to, cold when it was supposed to, fresh and at a near-perfect timing in between ordering and receiving the food at the table.

Other staff also checked on me in between my busy, yet perfectly attentive, server doing the same. The crab stick appetizer was delicious, the two sushi rolls I ordered, the VIP and the volcano were soo delicious, fresh, saucy and just as described! 😍

The price was totally fair for the portions and quality of the food too! Not overpriced and greedy, yet not exceptionally budget friendly either, but you shouldn't expect or necessarily want a bargain deal when being served raw seafood anyways, in my opinion. Lol.

I will definitely be returning and recommending this place to friends in the future. Thank you...

Update as of January 2023: Wow, has this place been through it! It's closed & reopened several times. I still have much love for this place & the food. It's a great place for lunch. The lunch specials are wonderful: have a great selection, nice discount. The food comes out quickly.

My only itty-bitty pet peeve happens every time I order. I usually order some nigiri sushi with my meal. (Known at this restaurant as "sushi"...so e.g. "two orders of salmon sushi, please." While pointing to it on the menu.) I'm always asked to clarify if I want the kind with rice. Well, yes, I want the kind with rice. If I didn't, I would have ordered sashimi. I'm curious as to why this happens. Is this a common mixup? If so, maybe they could explain things better on the menu for the uninitiated.

Initial review: I love this place. Sports bar vibe + sushi. They have hibachi offerings too but this is not a hibachi. Today, I stopped in for happy hour. Sapporo on draft & specials on sushi. Had 2 salmon rolls & a green hornet (pictured). The bar is a great place to sit. Always friendly service. If you sit at a table, you get average for Round Rock service. They have fresh wasabi!! If you've only had the made-from-powder stuff, you should try it! It's the only local place to consistently have uni, though I'm not quite down with the price yet. They also occasionally have salmon belly as a chef special.

Check it out! You won't be...