Kazoku - Sushi & Japanese Cuisine — Restaurant in Tucson

Yikes!... I had been here over the summer of 22' and it was all right. The food was good (then) but everything wasn't the cleanest... Definitely a hole in the wall at best with how well-worn/used their hardware is, both the eating variety and the furniture. It's definitely time for an update on their utensils and plates...

I came here in the last week for a friend's birthday, thinking at least the food should be good, hoping the place would be cleaner since it's no longer as Covid-y as everything used to be. I was excited as I don't eat out virtually at all and I love sushi. When I arrived there were plenty of people there - probably 6-7 other full tables, and only 2 waitresses scurring around. Looks like a good start and smells good. As I sit down first I noticed how dirty the table was, it really needed to be wiped down both top and bottom as it was a glass top on a table cloth...

They ask what I'd like to drink as I'm sitting, and was offered a glasses that was very dirty - lip stain marks... I'm a cool headed person, it happens, they were very busy, so I ask for a new one and they apologize pretty profusely. I'm given (hopefully) a new one, certainly cleaner this time. So we continue on.

We all ordered some sushi, each of us about 2-3 rolls. I ordered 3, one simple, one slightly fancy, and one really fancy, one of those deep fried ones. I'd like to note here that the rice was pretty under cooked - not dry - under cooked. Not good sushi rice.

I eat a majority of them, as I'm starving from a very long day, and accidentally left the fancy one somewhat for last. I start chowing down on the fancy one, and it was good! I kept getting some weird texture in my mouth, thinking shrimp shell. Half way through, I realized that the fake crab wasn't unwrapped from its plastic cover once I pulled a big piece of the plastic wrap out of my mouth... At first I had hoped it was an edible film, but...sadly it was not! I had eaten half of this roll filled with plastic!!

So I asked for the roll to be removed from my order, and paid for the rest. Though honestly at that point I should've asked for the whole thing to be covered...it was such a bad experience.

I had brought my japanese grandmother here years and years ago, and to be honest, they weren't much better than either... She was very disappointed.

They've got a track record now.

The only good news: I didn't get...

Kazoku sushi is one of the absolute best sushi establishments in Tucson. There is absolutely nothing fancy about this place, and the prices are fair for service that is usually excellent and delicious food.

The decor in Kazoku sushi is simple. It carries a definite Japanese theme, as it should, but it feels closer to a home then any type of restaurant; which really works to convey the "family" feel. There are usually two TVs playing CNN or ESPN, and everything feels perfectly quaint.

The service is primarily provided by who I only assume to be the Mother and occasionally some bus boys when it gets busy. I've rarely had any problem with the service, and always felt the free edemame and miso soup, coupled with bean ice cream at the end of the meal was absolutely amazing. Nothing but exemplary performance, though we usually went when it was dead around 5pm.

The food is fantastic. Nothing could feel or taste more authentic, every roll it seems the chefs will put just a little spin on; so no two meals are ever the same, even if your order is the same. The chefs will talk to you about what they've done, why they've done it if you sit at the bar, and they'll be sure to check you enjoy what they've prepared. Prices are always reasonable, and I have yet to have better Sushi in Tucson.

All told, Kazoku is a must, a the premier favorite for sushi in Tucson in my mind. The host eventually started to learn us, and would always open the menu to the "special" rolls when I showed up. It really feels like you're having sushi made for you at your in-laws, who just happen to be Japanese, and who created delicious food and take...

CONDOLENCE BOOK FOR JAPAN'S SHINZO ABE AVAILABLE AT TUCSON UNITED NATIONS CENTER

(TUCSON) After the sudden death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a show of sympathy and solidarity with the Japanese people, The United Nations Association of Southern Arizona (UNA) will have a book of condolences available for members of the community to sign and leave messages.

"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was a towering figure in the global community and we are all shocked by his sudden and unexpected death," said John Dalton, United Nations Association National Council Member & Regional Representative, "once closed, we will be coordinating with Honorary Consul General Kelly Moeur in Phoenix, to ensure the swift delivery of the condolence book to the Japanese Consulate General in Los Angeles, and for it to be formally received on behalf of the people of Japan."

The public is welcome to enter condolence messages or sign their names in the book at the United Nations Association Center (UNA Center) located at 6242 East Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712, in the Monterey Village plaza. The condolence book, honoring the former Japanese Prime Minister, will be available between the hours of 10:00AM - 5:30PM from Tuesday, July 12, 2022 - Saturday,...