503 Sushi Bar — Restaurant in Salem

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

Let me say first off, for me, when reviewing a restaurant, especially sushi, I consider the quality of food based on the price range they fall in to. In theory a more expensive restaurant should have higher quality food than a lower cost restaurant. While this is certainly not always true, usually, the price of the food is an indication of the quality of the ingredients, every now and then a restaurant exceeds those expectations, for me, "503 Sushi" does just that.

I have eaten at very nearly every place that sells sushi in Salem (on top of eating sushi in several cities and states), and I have made my own sushi as well at home. I love sushi, it never gets old for me, it is always fun to eat, and I enjoy it, even if some sushi is better than others.

I have never had a problem with the service at 503, I talk to the two owners Kei and Sonny (Sonny makes most of the sushi), every time I come in and they are both great guys. They seem to have a harder time finding good wait staff, but that isn't surprising for a newer restaurant, however, I have never had problems with any of the wait staff, they have never been rude, if not always as attentive as they could have been, most of the time it is because one person left and they were new. I have seen them go through a lot of waitresses, though there is one girl, Danielle, I believe is her name, she is fantastic, and I hope she sticks around. :)

The sushi is very cheap, especially for the quality of ingredients. I have been to several sushi bars in Salem and out of Salem that have this price range and their fish is not as fresh, or any of the other ingredients for that matter. Most of them, even for their price brackets, are around a 3, 4 at most.

I have eaten here about 15x's since it opened I have never had a bad roll or had anyone be rude to me. Their special rolls are really good, especial the "Something Special ES", it is my husbands favorite. It is twice the price, but if you look at the size of the roll it is 2-3x's the size of the standard rolls, and my husband eats that one roll and is full.

I love their rainbow and dragon rolls because of the freshness of the fish, and I love the crab salad they use in their rolls because it is not sweet, but rather a little salty and provides a great balance to the other ingredients. Their miso soup is pretty good, and the tempura is also always crispy and light like it should be. I also am a huge surf clam fan, and their's are by far, the best I have had anywhere, they actually have flavor. Also, they do not overdose on the sauces like some other sushi bars I have been to.

I give them a 4.5 (I like to round up), for their price bracket, they are very nearly perfect, if they could get some slightly better and more long-term wait staff who can really learn the job, they would hands down be a...

So I have been here before and I thought is was okay sushi for an awesome price. SO today I took my friend here to grab lunch. I order the volcano roll and I ask the waitress what was on it. I cannot have anything spicy such as sriracha because I have an allergic reaction. Well she was soooo quite and wouldn't look at us while she was talking. So we did not hear her say sriracha. Which yes I understand the volcano roll is spicy but I told I don't want any of this red stuff on my sushi that was in the picture on their menu. She reassured me that it was no problem. We wait 50 mins for my one sushi roll and there is only one other set of customers there. I finally get the roll and it has sriracha on it. I wait 10 mins before grabbing her attention because she look occupied. After waiting for so long I went up to her and apologized and told her I could not have sriracha on my roll. She took the plate and I went to sit back down.

Five mins pass by and she comes over and explains that he can't fix the roll and that I would to pay for that roll and order another roll ( if I wanted) and pay that roll as well. I asked her why I couldn't just get a replacement roll? I told her I won't pay for a roll I can't eat. She took the roll back and said okay.

Another few moments go by and she brings the check and asks us to pay for the roll and leave. I was in such shock that we were being asked to leave over some sriracha on my roll and after being soo polite and waiting for over 1 hour and a half for my roll. I told her I will pay for my salad but I won't pay for a roll I did not eat and that has now been thrown away. She said okay and left the check and walked away. So my friend and I put our money in to pay for the food anyways because it wasn't a fight worth having and we wanted to leave ten mins in from getting there.

As soon as I place the check down with our money and have my purse in my hand.. the owner comes over and asked us why we were mad. I explained I'm not mad, and that I was disappointed in the service and that i have to pay for a roll I can't eat. He said how was we were supposed to know you were allergic. I told him I asked her what was in it and she did not say sriracha. He said that not his fault and that we were rude and disrespectful. I told him to not make a scene and that were paying so we can leave. He proceeded to be extremely inappropriate and unprofessional. We told him to take our money so we can go and he told us to just leave. I have NEVER had such worse customer service. We told the waitress afterwards that we never meant to be disrespectful and that we just wanted a sushi roll without sriracha. Sorry for the long rant. Basically this...

Imagine a place where the vibrant culture of Japan meets the cozy corners of Salem, Oregon. This is 503 Sushi, a culinary gem nestled in the historic Reed Opera House, where every bite is a journey to the heart of Asian cuisine.

As you step into 503 Sushi, you’re greeted by an atmosphere that’s both inviting and exciting. The decor strikes a perfect balance between traditional and modern, with touches that pay homage to sushi’s rich heritage. The staff welcomes you with the warmth of a long-lost friend, ensuring that your dining experience starts on a high note.

The menu is a treasure trove of delights, each dish crafted with the freshest ingredients and an eye for artistic presentation. The Spicy Tuna Roll dances on the palate with just the right kick of heat, while the Oregon Roll is a local twist that’s as inventive as it is delicious1. For those seeking a culinary spectacle, the Volcano Roll erupts with flavors that are both bold and refined1.

But it’s not just the food that makes 503 Sushi a must-visit destination. It’s the experience. The chefs are maestros of their craft, slicing and dicing with a precision that’s mesmerizing to watch. The service is impeccable, with a team that’s attentive without being intrusive, ensuring your glass is always full and your needs are promptly met.

And when the meal comes to an end, you’ll find yourself lingering, not wanting to leave the little oasis of joy you’ve found. 503 Sushi isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a place where memories are made, where every visit feels like a special occasion.

So, if you’re in Salem and craving an experience that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul, look no further than 503 Sushi. It’s not just dining; it’s a celebration of flavors, people, and moments. Come for the sushi, stay for the magic. Your...