Giant Sakura — Restaurant in Schaumburg Township

First time trying out at Giant Sakura on Saturday evening. Two of us were seated at the inner room, and the room was quickly filling up with other customers. While the server was quick to greet, took our order, and brought our drinks, the rest of the night dragged on for the main course. Ordered Shrimp tempura Udon and Ton-Katsu (pork cutlet dish), which for around $18 each not what we expected as restaurant quality (tasted far better flavorful dishes at local snack corner at Mitduwa market); we were very disappointed at such mediocre presentation and taste for the price. After one hour wait, we finally received 2pc tamago order, then another long wait ensued; we decided to quit and asked to cancel remaining of our order (Spider rolls, etc.). There were five other tables before us and they were all waiting on their food. And, seeing the chef trying to keep up with To-Go orders, we knew we won't have our rolls for another good hour. Not sure if due to pandemic they were short on staff but with two chefs and one server for the whole place, didn't seem very efficient way to run the restaurant, especially on busy weekends. Not sure if they couldn't keep up with all the orders, but the taste, food presentation, temperature of the food, everything was off and extremely slow...

A very different Sakura than before, and I personally feel some important things were discarded. Some of the new things were good -- the customer service was terrific, and the redecoration was nice. The gyoza were cooked perfectly. However, the environment now feels overly modernized and upbeat, not the quiet, laid-back restaurant it used to be. Music that felt straight out of a Korean romance drama played the entire time. Also, the menu has been drastically cut, and now includes several Korean dishes/specials. Don't get me wrong; I absolutely love Korean food, but when I go to a restaurant that highlights Japanese cuisine, I really expect a solid menu of that. Overall, it feels like the changes now make them like so many other "Japanese" restaurants, that show off their sushi and udon before the menu drifts off into a chaotic Asian medley of lo mein, Western...

THIS PLACE is a YES for me. I am usually one to only do AYCE (all you can eat) SUSHI, however, this place has definitely changed that for me. Let's start off with cleanliness. Restaurant is very clean including the bathroom. Service 10/10!! Our waitress was literally the sweetest lady ever and giving me great recommendations! Now my favorite part the food!

APPETIZER: SAKE CARPACCIO 10/10

SUSHI: SCORPION 10/10 DOUBLE EBI 7/10 HOTATEGAI VOLCANO 10/10

man I cannot tell you how tasty & fresh everything was! Double ebi was good just not my favorite. The quality of the food is A+ in my book and I have had sushi at so many different restaurants even outside of IL like california and toronto and let me tell you I am impressed. It's not all you can eat but it's so worth it! & I will be back to try other items...