Chula Seafood — Restaurant in Scottsdale

I have really been looking forward to this review. I have been coming to this spot for years, and it is my all-time favorite sashimi spot in the Phoenix area.

I have only gone to the original South Scottsdale location as I lived just down the road for over a decade. They now have several locations, including in San Diego.

My go-to dish is the house sashimi platter. They offer it in 2 different sizes. I usually go with the larger one but the small one will fill up most people or me when I’m not super hungry. No need to order sides with this as it comes with rice, veggies, a small salad.

The original location is in a very nondescript, unassuming strip mall. Most people probably drive by and never know this place is tucked in there. So it is a treasure trove for locals. There are many more touristy spots in Scottsdale. But not sure you will find better sashimi. They serve it on bamboo leaves in a silver tray packed with ice. So fresh and delicious. The salmon, tuna - all are equally tasty.

They also have a small counter with fresh fish and sushi kits available for purchase. They also sell stuff like gumbo and larger meals if you are ever hosting.

I also dig their small retail offerings - particular the “Shuck Boy” t-shirt. This is one of the 1st stops for me when I am in town. A treat every time. I hope this place will...

My husband and I had heard about Chula at a farmer's market we went to at the Valley Ho Hotel. They have two locations in the Phoenix area, this one (Scottsdale) that sells seafood and has mostly cold items (bowls, salads, etc.) and their Phoenix location that is more of a restaurant with cooked items. Both have daily specials that you will want to check out.

I've been wanting to come here ever since seeing a friend's post about their green chili tuna melt (find it on Instagram). So, yesterday was the day! My husband and I walked into their clean, cozy, and VERY friendly restaurant and were pleasantly surprised!

All the employees were amazing. Happy to answer questions, give some history about Chula, all very attentive and genuine.

I was thrilled to see they offered alcohol as well (a beer sounded so good to go with the melt!), and it was happy hour to boot!

I'll let the photos do the talking from here. Hubby and I split the tuna melt, then we split their "Spam Sushi" (for the life of me, I can't remember what it's called, but it's a Hawaiian favorite...wait, Spam Musubi! That's it!), and we each had a beer. Then, the chef brought out a sample of his macaroni salad, which was also DEEEELISH!

We will DEFINITELY be coming back! And, we'll have to check out their Phoenix...

Absolutely do not understand the high ranking. First off, this place is expensive. I ordered 4 things, let me describe each. First was the "happy hour" salmon role. $6, 3 pieces...OK, I see the "happy hour" part. Seaweed wrap was too think and firm, rice was not cooked correctly. Pasta should be al dente not sushi rice. Sauce was strong sesame. Next up, the Chef's special Sashimi bowl. I ordered "XL". Exactly 6 pieces of Sashimi for ~$29 in a bowl with super overpowering wasabi sauce. I love wasabi, but this was over board. The fish didn't seem fresh and was not the "choicest" of selections. Same issue for the rice and other items in the bowl that were just OK. I then figured maybe I ordered the wrong things, so I ordered a to-go whitefish BLT sandwich which I got some clam chowder. Chowder was really different, I mean different in that I really didn't taste any clams. So 0-3, The whitefish BLT was probably the best thing....good but unfortunately not great. Another $22 for the sandwich and soup. Glass of wine with the $3 happy hour discount was $8. This place seemed like it had potential, but my palette...