Shogun Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Tucson

Review updated

Shogun Has Potential but Needs Modern Updates

Shogun offers a dining experience with both strengths and weaknesses. While the restaurant could benefit from modern upgrades and greater transparency about its policies, it does have some notable highlights worth mentioning.

Pros: • Daily Sushi Roll Specials: Shogun offers great value with daily specials on sushi rolls. For example, menu items 1 through 5 are half off on Mondays • Las Vegas Roll & Sashimi: The Las Vegas roll is a standout item, and the sashimi, while made from farm-raised salmon, is fresh and enjoyable given the region’s limitations. For a desert location, the quality is commendable. • Good Value for Select Items: For what they have to work with, the sushi and sashimi quality is solid, and the specials make it more affordable for diners seeking a good deal.

Cons: • Outdated Atmosphere: The space feels cramped and humid, with older décor that could use significant modernization to enhance the dining experience. • Restroom Facilities: While there are separate restrooms for men and women, each only has a single stall, often leading to inconvenient wait times. • Inconsistent Service Fees: While service fees were previously added to bills exceeding $100, this policy seems to be inconsistently applied, which may confuse diners. • Limited Spicy Ponzu Sauce: While their sauces are flavorful, the portions of spicy ponzu sauce are smaller than expected, which can be disappointing for fans of bold flavors.

Overall Impression:

Shogun definitely has potential, but it needs some updates.

The good: • They have daily sushi roll specials that are a really good deal (like rolls #1–5 are half off on Mondays). • The Las Vegas roll is my favorite, and the sashimi is fresh for being in the desert, even though it’s farm-raised salmon. • Prices are fair, especially if you stick with the specials. • They finally got rid of that ridiculous forced tip policy. Before, if your bill went over $100, they would automatically tack on the highest tip percentage, which was frustrating. Thankfully, that’s gone now for everyone, and it makes the whole experience much better.

The not-so-good: • The restaurant feels cramped and a little outdated, and it gets humid inside. • Bathrooms are small, with just one stall each, so there’s often a wait. • The spicy ponzu sauce portions are smaller than you’d expect.

Overall, the food is good for Tucson and the deals are worth it, but the place could really benefit from some modernization. At least the forced tip issue is gone — that was the best change they...

The wife and I came on a Friday evening at about 7:30 based on the recommendations our dental hygienist and a co-worker. The co-worker's boyfriend is a sushi chef in downtown Tucson so I was anxious as my previous experience had been only so-so. She gave me 3 tips and Shogun is closest. Good atmosphere, with a waterfall near where we were seated. Also with curtained booths across one wall (seating from 2 to 6) that must be reserved. Otherwise, the atmosphere was functional and nothing special. But that's not what sushi fans care about. Right?! We want tasty, fresh fish and fast friendly service... and Shogun is 5 stars in both these 2 categories

When we arrived they were really, really busy and we didn't have a reservation so we waited 10 minutes for a table. Necessary because, sadly, my wife doesn't like sitting at the sushi bar.

We were served miso soup and salad (both delicious and included at no extra charge) and the wife had to ask for a fork. As a sushi fan for many years, I knew this was a very good sign. We both had the house hot saki which was excellent.

I ordered 6 pieces of yellowtail sashimi. One of 3 mix-and-match choices which also included salmon and tuna. I thought this was expensive at order time. Wow! Was I mistaken. The serving was huge! Elsewhere locally I have ordered 8 pieces for 16 bucks and ended up ordering twice. Not at Shogun though. I was full! And the yellowtail was very fresh and delicious.

We had ice cream for desert and I ordered bean which can be really bland. But when it's good it's very good. Two scoops was the standard serving size and it was so fresh and so good.

Then our check was the perfect finish to a perfect meal. Far less than our usual sushi bill here or in California.

One thing was a bit odd, but turned out not to be a problem at all. I had to ask for ginger and wasabi. And then a refill because the first portion was too small. (Remember, the yellowtail was huge). However, both times it was brought immediately and the second time it was really big. And there was no charge. Both the ginger and wasabi were very fresh and tasty. And the wasabi was the real thing. Creamy and dissolved in soy sauce as it should, not that fake paste often served instead these days.

I have two more recommendations to try. But Shogun has got to be the best...

I've always liked this place, the private booths, the service and the lively atmosphere. The Sushi is great and I still haven't found a Sushi restaurant that serves such large portions of quality fish. Eveytime I come to Tucson, this is where I eat Sushi. Highly recommended. Update: 29 December 2018 I've moved away from Tucson, but came back to visit for the Christmas period. I only had enough time to visit one restaurant, so I chose my favourite Sushi place. Shogun. I was deeply disappointed, to the point where, I won't be returning. As usual, service was friendly and accomodating. The issues came when I ordered my usual Spicey Tuna roll, my wife, her usual Rainbow roll and my sister a California roll. When they arrived, they were the smallest rolls I had ever seen, at any Sushi restaurant. All three were mis-shapen and just holding together to the point where the "chef" had dressed the end of one roll to cover the fact it had fallen apart. Shogun Sushi used to be known for its huge, beautifully made, delicious rolls, so I was really disappointed. I would have been happy, even a regular sized, well made roll, but it was not to be. I spoke to one of the waitresses about it. Turns out, there's been a change in chefs and kitchen staff. It really shows. On the positive side, the fish portions on the individual nigiri are still generous and the sizzling kolbi ribs are still very tasty. While I was living in Tucson, friends and colleagues used to get together once a month for something we called Sushi Club at Shogun Sushi. Shortly after I left, Sushi Club stopped going to Shogun and started going elsewhere. Now I know why. Thanks for the memories Shogun Sushi. I picked one restaurant to visit while I was in Tucson and I picked you. I won't...