Sakura Japanese Steak House

My husband introduced me to Sekura's when we met just over 10 years ago and up to that point, I didn't like Japanese food and only mildly liked Chinese (I think it's a little too greasy). This restaurant blew my mind! The food is soooo incredibly good that I found myself overeating time and time again and not caring about my waistline. There is usually a bit of a wait where we sit in a lounge-like area until a table is ready for us. It is like a Benihana where you sit around the chef and watch him prepare your meal inches away from your plate. I will admit, some of the cooks are more flamboyant than others and some are better cooks than others, but even the lesser skilled are worth every penny. The waitresses are to the point, quiet, giggly and shy and don't bug you while you eat. You can get free refills of rice and you simply *have* to pour the orange-colored sauce over the top of everything. I don't know what they put in it, but WOW! If you even remotely like shrimp, GET THE SHRIMP! Please! It is fantastic. Best of all, the food isn't fried and all greasy. Everything is fresh and you don't feel bloated or oily afterwards, but like you just ate something healthy. Leftovers are even better than the freshly prepared in the restaurant, the next morning; which for me, is about 3am when I wake up remembering I still have some left and sneak into the kitchen to make a pig out of myself again.

This is not a place for snobs or people who are all uptight about Japanese culture or for anyone who is more concerned w/ the wallpaper than what's in front of you. The restaurant is like my neighbor's mother's kitchen when we were kids; you go over there to eat excellent food in generous portions made w/ care and quality ingredients. It is our favorite restaurant and where we take friends who we are thanking w/ a great meal or out-of-towners we are trying to impress. It also just so happens to be the favorite restaurant of countless others we have come across. Just go there, it's reasonably priced and delicious.

Sakura's is a great place to eat. It's been around a while so no wonder it's not in the most tip-top shape. It is not dirty though, the grill's are cleaned after each preparation. They bring out the food fresh for each preparation. There is a system to the meal. Orders are taken, drinks are served and food is prepared. The uncommonly needy diner may find it aggrevating that there are no waitstaff hovering over you but the casual diner would feel very comfortable with the service. I have never had an empty glass or needed anything further than what is prepared for the meal. As for the soup, it is very Miso, that's all Miso is, broth and mushrooms. Salad? Well you shouldn't expect a salad to be exquisite in an oriental setting. Although I have had a side salad there with ranch and it was normal. Always order the chicken and beef and it's great with the yum yum sauce and all. Sure they hire the local young folks of Tacoma to do the cooking but I would rather have them cooking for me and making a living than running amuck in the streets. At least they are contributing to society in a positive way. I will go back to Sakura's and I would recommend it to any friends or familoy that enjoy that style of cuisine. Perhaps the price was too much for jholmes, as it's not cheap eating, you get what you pay for though and I think you get a lot at Sakura's, I never go away hungry that's for sure!

I went to this restaurant with my wife and another couple and was extremely disappointed in both the...