Chubby Fish Sushi — Restaurant in Thornton

"If you want good edamame, lemonade with lavender, shaved strawberry ice cream, and to feel like you're at an American rave in the streets of Japan, this is place for you. If you want good sushi, go elsewhere." -T.G

Two hour wait hyped up the restaurant. With us being #90 on a waitlist. After finally getting a table, the first bite was some extremely dry calamari. It was as if it was fried over and over again until no juices were left. Like eating an old rubber band that lost its elasticity. Tempura was flavorless and had no crunch. Takoyaki was extremely fishy and mushy. It was almost like it was frozen and not hand-made. That almost ruined meal, but we toughed it out because we were staving. That was only the first few bites. Other items we clearly ordered on the receipt, like the truffle white tuna and poke bowl. We never got them. All nigiri is extremely rice heavy, so you don't even taste the fish. Only a heavy vinegar flavored rice that you'd chew for a while. All the skewers have the same seasoning on them. Couldn't even taste what protein or veggie you'd be eating. Only able to tell by looking at it before eating a skewer. The salmon kama was going to redeem them since it was decent, but there were small and big bones in it. I dont mind, but it would be nice to either remove them or at least warn the guests. We ordered some sushi rolls as well, which sounded like it would be a flavor explosion on the palate. How wrong we were. No identifiable or stand-out flavors. It's just a weird, mushy ball of rice with lots of chewing to eat it. Like other reviews, the music is really loud for a restaurant. We couldn't even understand what our server said when telling us her name. She was only a few inches from the table. I've done my fair share of A.Y.C.E, and maybe once or twice, I ordered too much food. Never have I told the waitress like I did here to just charge the price for the wasted food. Just wanted to GTFO of that place. I went in hangry. I left hangry eating chubby fish. What a strange feeling.

Staff needs some training in customer service. The front desk, the guy with the suit, can at least acknowledge people. Even if he's on the phone. I am sure his fancy headset has a mute button in 2025. Like a quick whisper of I'll be right with you or even hire another hostess. Our server was a sweet young lady but left the table right after we filled out our order form. It would just be pleasant to ask us if we want anything to drink besides water. Sell the products. After that, I think she came by once or twice during the two hours we were there. Sad to say it wasn't because we were enjoying the food we were there that long. I was just trying to chew it to force it down and then realized that there was only one bite of suffering with many left to go. We finished the sake, the Japanese soda, the lemonade, and almost our water with no question of whether you would like more to drink or refills.

P.S. the best dishes are in the first...

I've visited this restaurant twice now. The first time was with my family for lunch, and it was an amazing experience. The second visit, this time with friends, was equally impressive.

Upon entering, I immediately noticed the beautiful decor, which perfectly matched the theme of the restaurant. Although our drinks took a bit longer than usual due to how busy they were, the overall experience was not diminished. We ordered a large variety of dishes, which all arrived together – a detail I appreciated. The food appeared fresh and had the proper textures.

However, there were a couple of minor issues with specific dishes. The fried tofu did not meet my expectations for aged-tofu; Additionally, it lacked flavor. The fried calamari was also not good what so ever pretty cold in the middle. We had to get a second round, accompanied by a bottle of Hana sake apple-flavored, which we loved.

Unfortunately, I forgot to inquire about allergens, and the menu did not indicate which dishes contained allergens. We ordered satay skewers without realizing they had peanuts. Shortly after, a dish with sprinkled fried garlic arrived, and I asked if it contained peanuts seeing that the garlic looked like peanuts. The waitress confirmed it was just garlic, that sparked the conversation of another dish having peanuts which were the skewers, The waitress went to go ask the chefs and it was confirmed that the skewer were marinated in peanut sauce, prompting me to go out to my car and use my EpiPen

The manager and waitress promptly came to check on me at the table, and I greatly appreciated their concern and attentiveness with the whole mishap. I did seek medical attention after the dinner, but despite this incident, we were overall very satisfied with the experience and will definitely be returning.

UPDATE: Came back with my family, group of 17 and had a great experience. The staff did an awesome job getting us seated and taken care of quickly. Our server Caden was super attentive and handled our huge order really well

Everyone loved the food and we definitely left full and happy. We took a bunch of photos and had a really good time. Only bad thing was I had to pay for it all 🥲😅

We’ll for sure be back again soon. If you’re planning to come, make sure you hop on the waitlist ahead of time it really helps with the wait if you’re walking in.

Thank you again Caden for...

Chubby Fish: A Dive into Delectable Depths

Nestled amongst the bustling streets, Chubby Fish emerges as a vibrant oasis. Stepping through its doors isn't merely entering a restaurant; it's a full-on cultural immersion. The meticulously crafted decor transports you to a world awash with Japanese influences. Think paper lanterns casting a warm glow, intricate woodcuts adorning the walls, and the gentle murmur of conversation punctuated by the rhythmic clatter of chopsticks – a symphony for the senses.

But the true star of Chubby Fish is its culinary journey. The menu, a thoughtfully curated selection, caters to both the adventurous and the traditional palate. Our waitress, Shelby, emerged as a guiding light. Her knowledge of the menu was nothing short of encyclopedic. She patiently explained each dish, offering insightful recommendations that perfectly captured our diverse preferences. Her attentiveness extended far beyond the menu; Shelby's genuine warmth and ability to make our children feel welcome were a breath of fresh air.

The dishes themselves were a revelation. The fish, impossibly fresh, practically danced on our tongues. Each piece of nigiri was a masterpiece, the perfect balance of melt-in-your-mouth rice and the delicate sweetness of the seafood. The rolls were works of art, bursting with flavor combinations that had us oohing and aahing with each bite.

Particular mention must be made of the all you can eat sushi – a symphony of textures and tastes that lingered long after the last morsel was devoured. It's a testament to the chef's artistry that even the simplest dishes, like the edamame, were elevated to new heights.

Chubby Fish isn't just a meal; it's an experience. It's the impeccable service, the immersive atmosphere, and of course, the exquisite sushi that leaves you wanting more. We left Chubby Fish feeling not just satiated, but transported. In a world of homogenous chain restaurants, Chubby Fish stands out as a beacon of culinary excellence and genuine hospitality. It's a place we'll surely be returning to, eager to delve deeper into its...