Sakura — Restaurant in Salem

This is for the newly reopened Sakura. They closed about 2 years ago... Covid . They have sort of remodeled and completely changed their menu and service structure. I hope its just growing pangs as they have only been open a few days. The different rooms inside all have differing furniture. In the back is the tables and chairs from the old restaurant and in the front some high top plastic chairs from a fast food suppliers warehouse. You now order at the counter and 1 counter person/food runner brings your food to the table when they find you . They no longer have soup, scallops nor beef tenderloin. They have ribeye which they just cut up and serve the big hunks of fat intact. Good or bad? So no napkins, salt or pepper or soy sauce on the tables. drink service is in solo cups and a fountain machine. Takeout containers are self serve at the fountain machine. When they brought the food it was lukewarm at best. The vegetables looked like the onions and peppers at the carnival that had been cooked that morning and had been sitting around all afternoon. Soft and mushy. The steak was pretty good although I didn't care for the big hunk of fat . Shrimp lacked any seasoning at all. I asked for salt and pepper and soy sauce and was given two little plastic dipping cups. one with soy sauce and the other with a mix of salt and pepper. The rice was pretty bland as well. Once you are finished with your meal its a self busing experience to take your plates and bowls, Scrape them over the trash can and stack then in the awaiting bus pans. I'm not sure if this is required but we were following the lead of the other patrons. My party and I had high hopes as we really liked the old Sakura. None were impressed. We will wait a few weeks and maybe revisit . Still have hopes they will get their act together...

I have been an worker in all different Asian food places...and had learn that each one serves their food similarly but also different. Because you have to be a little different from others to attract different customers.. I have never heard that Japanese Restaurant needs to have Sushi or hibachi tables in front of customers enable to be a real Japanese food spot...because real Japanese people also eats like us and rice and a lot of noodles too..so they are not Japanese when they are not eating Sushi or sitting in front of hibachi table? I just think if some people like to share their opinions about other culture's food or traditional ways of that country...do your study first... don't embarrass yourselves and BTW...ate at Sakura plenty of times....food is very good and service along with the price of food are also excellent!!! Try them out... you won't be disappointed if you really know...

We absolutely love Sakura and make this a priority every time we are in the Roanoke/Salem area. This is a hibachi steakhouse restaurant, but do not expect the Benihana/Kabuki style experience. The Benihana/Kabuki style restaurants prepare the food in front of you on the hibachi grill, so you end up with a flashy presentation and mediocre food. Sakura prepares the food in the back so you don't get the show, but the food is far superior to Benihana's and it is much cheaper because you are not paying for the show.

The soup is excellent and the salad dressing is great. We usually just get the teriyaki chicken and hibachi steak because they are so delicious, but anything else that we try is top notch as well. We are long time fans of Sakura and will continue to be for as long as...