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Sushi-san
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Sushi-san
8.2
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sushi-san’s Willis Tower outpost brings Toyosu-linked fish and a hand roll bar into the Catalog food hall, geared toward fast but serious sushi. Loop workers build bentos from specialty maki, nigiri sets, and sides before or after a Skydeck visit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nigiri Set (tuna, salmon, hamachi), Spicy Tuna maki, Crunchy Fatty Tuna hand roll
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Hand roll bar and Toyosu-linked fish program inside Willis Tower’s Catalog.
Who should go: Loop workers wanting high-grade sushi without a long meal.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early evening before Skydeck or commute.
What to order: Nigiri set, a spicy tuna roll, plus one seasonal maki.
Insider tip: Build your own bento from maki and sides to maximize variety.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking available inside Willis Tower / Catalog complex; street parking in the Loop is limited and metered.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — office attire and clean streetwear are both common.
Noise level: Moderate — food hall energy at peak hours, but counter seats still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: Usually minimal wait; traffic depends on Skydeck crowds and nearby events.
Weekday lunch: Light to moderate — short lines during peak office lunch rush, but turnover is fast.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable rolls, edamame, and some sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few maki and sides may be ordered vegan, but selection is narrow.
Gluten-free options: Some nigiri and sashimi work gluten-free if you avoid soy sauce and tempura; confirm sauces with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or low-key meet-up than a full date — the setting is fast-casual inside a food hall, but quality sushi makes it a solid quick bite before an activity.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come within the Catalog food hall, and most diners order at the counter; arrive slightly before peak lunch if you want your pick of seats.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids and teens — open seating and quick service work well, but limited space and busy weekday crowds may be tough for strollers.
Best For
Better for: High-quality fish and hand rolls delivered in a quick, efficient format — ideal for office workers, solo diners, and fast pre-Skydeck meals.
Skip if: You want a slow, sit-down omakase or a traditional sushi date environment — choose a full-service sushi restaurant instead.
Sushi-san
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Trendy Table Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sushi-san’s Willis Tower outpost brings the group’s hand-roll bar and maki sets into the Catalog food hall, geared to downtown lunches and quick after-work bites. Diners mix customizable bento boxes, signature rolls like Crunchy Fatty Tuna, and nigiri sets at counter seating or grab-and-go cases without committing to the full River North experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crunchy Fatty Tuna roll, Build-Your-Own Bento with maki and san-sides, Hand rolls at the counter bar
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A Lettuce Entertain You hand-roll and bento counter tucked into Willis Tower’s Catalog for fast but polished sushi lunches.
Who should go: Office workers wanting better-than-basic sushi inside Willis Tower.
When to visit: Midday lunch rush or late afternoon for faster lines.
What to order: Crunchy Fatty Tuna, maki-and-sides bento, a couple hand rolls.
Insider tip: Sit at the hand-roll bar if you want rolls passed to you seconds after they’re made.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking available at Willis Tower and nearby Loop garages; street parking is very limited and metered.
Dress code: Business-casual to casual — office attire and jeans are both common.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during lunch rush; conversation is doable but expect food-hall background noise.
Weekend wait: Often minimal or no wait when open, but hours can be limited on weekends — check ahead.
Weekday lunch: Short lines during the 12–1pm peak; typically a 5–10 minute wait for food.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie rolls, cucumber/avocado maki, and customizable bentos are available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few maki and sides can be built vegan, but options are narrower than the River North location.
Gluten-free options: Partial — nigiri, sashimi, and some rolls can be adapted; gluten-free soy sauce may be available on request, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, quick bite than a true date spot — it’s counter-service in a food hall, with limited privacy and a fast-paced feel.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-up and counter-service. Seating is first-come at communal and counter seats; arrive slightly off-peak for the best chance at a seat.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally kid-friendly during off-peak hours; seating is mostly counter and communal, so strollers and large groups may find space tighter.
Best For
Better for: Fast but polished sushi in the Loop — convenient bento combos, hand rolls made to order, and reliable quality for office lunches and solo bites.
Skip if: You want a longer, quieter sit-down sushi experience, full-service dining, or an omakase-style meal — consider the River North flagship instead.
Sushi-san
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Willis Tower sushi counter built for high-velocity Loop lunches, with maki and hand rolls that land fast and eat clean. The best move is to keep it roll-forward—one signature spicy roll, one lighter fish-forward option—then add a crunchy side if you’re lingering between meetings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crunchy Fatty Tuna roll, Sambal Salmon roll, Sushi bento box
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Willis Tower sushi counter with fast, roll-first ordering.
Who should go: Loop workers needing a reliable sushi reset
When to visit: Late lunch for shorter lines
What to order: Crunchy Fatty Tuna, Sambal Salmon, sushi bento box
Insider tip: Order one roll now, add a second only if you’re staying.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Located inside Willis Tower—use the building garage or nearby paid garages; street parking is extremely limited during business hours.
Dress code: Business casual to smart casual—office attire fits right in; jeans are fine.
Noise level: Moderate—busy lunch counter energy, but conversations are easy at off-peak times.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a weekday, lunch-driven location with limited evening hours.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak noon rush; little to no wait after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—avocado, cucumber, and vegetable-forward rolls are available.
Vegan options: Limited—plant-based rolls are possible but not the focus; confirm sauces.
Gluten-free options: Partial—sashimi and some rolls work, but soy sauce and prep space are shared.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual lunch meet than a romantic first date—the counter setup and fast pace favor efficiency over lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—most seating is first-come, first-served; arriving outside the noon rush makes it easy.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—geared toward office workers with limited seating and a quick-turn environment.
Best For
Better for: Fast, reliable sushi rolls when you need quality without sacrificing speed—ideal for Loop lunches and solo diners.
Skip if: Choose a full-service sushi bar if you want omakase pacing, a quiet dinner, or a special-occasion experience.
Sushi-san
8.1
A sleek, convenient sushi stop inside the Willis Tower flow that works for an “after work, no detour” date. Make it hand-roll-forward with a tight order, add a small nigiri set, and lean on the bar-style energy rather than expecting a quiet, linger-long omakase vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hand rolls, Nigiri assortment, Maki rolls
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Hand-roll-friendly sushi in a prime Loop tower location.
Who should go: Downtown couples who want sushi without a trek
When to visit: Weeknights right after work
What to order: Hand roll trio, nigiri set, one maki roll to share
Insider tip: Sit at the hand roll bar if available—best pacing and freshness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking in and around Willis Tower; expect higher rates during weekday business hours and limited street parking nearby.
Dress code: Smart casual to business casual—jeans are fine, but polished workwear fits the room best.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is easy at a normal speaking volume, especially at the bar.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak evening hours
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait off-peak; short lines possible during the noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, avocado-focused hand rolls, and small plates are available.
Vegan options: Limited—vegetable-based rolls and sides; best to ask about sauces and preparation.
Gluten-free options: Possible with modifications—sashimi and select nigiri work, but soy sauce and some rolls contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's polished but low-pressure, with bar-style energy that keeps things moving and avoids awkward long pauses.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially if you’re flexible on bar or hand-roll counter seating; peak dinner hours are tighter.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—better for adults and older teens who enjoy sushi; no dedicated kids’ menu or family-focused setup.
Best For
Better for: Convenient, high-quality sushi dates when you want speed, style, and zero detours from the Loop workday.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet, traditional omakase or a long, romantic linger—this spot is more about energy and efficiency.