Sushi Yoshi

I loved this place when I first ate here about a year ago. However, after two more visits, I'm not sure anymore. The sushi deluxe platter is a great value at slightly less than $20, but overall, the quality is hit or miss.

The sushi deluxe is a great value. It's about $20 and comes with a tuna roll, a california roll, and 10 pieces of nigiri. The rolls were excellent, but the nigiri pieces really sucked except for the unagi. The hamachi and the salmon were not melt-in-your-mouth good. In fact, the hamachi had a texture that was a bit too chewy while the salmon tasted oily bland. My sister ordered a bento box, which came with teriyaki chicken, sashimi, sushi, and tempura. A very good deal at around $18. However, just like the sushi deluxe, the quality is hit-or-miss. Everything was pretty good except for the chicken teriyaki...it's just too dry and didn't have that marinated taste to it. It tasted like dry chicken with teriyaki sauce poured over it. The chirashi sushi came in a two tier bento box, an improvement over other sushi restaurants. However, the sashimi pieces were a little too wimpy, but the rice more than made up for it. The chef sprinkled a ton of furikake so it definitely looked good to eat.

So what did I learn from this experience? I can't wait for Soto to reopen after their lengthy "renovation" project. I don't get it...why did it take so long to renovate? I guess I'll have to go and check it out. But Soto should still be the ultimate sushi destination in ATL, taking its rightful throne back from MF Sushi.

Based from my past experiences at Sushi Yoshi, word "Omakase" should never be spoken to the sushi chef. You might get the best slices out of the mediocre selection, but you'll never get the best sushi in your life.  

Bottomline: Sushi Yoshi offers good value for decent sushi. But if you're a sushi connoisseur, go to Soto. And if you're a yuppie, stick to Rusan's...you'll feel more at home.

Rating: Priced Just Right, Decent, Fare Value

Rick Factor: Yes, but you'll probably spend a ton to eat meat and veggies here since rice is a big part of the Asian diet.

Greg Factor: yasai tempura and small appetizers will fill you up

Alyce Factor: Yes, it is possible to avoid raw fish and veggies in this restaurant.

Jeff Factor: Chicken Teriyaki is as normal as it gets

MOE'S SOUTHWEST GRILL

I have to admit it. I have a love/hate relationship with this restaurant. On one hand, they make the meanest nachos. On the other hand, I don't like to order a "ruprict" or a "billy barou," and honestly, I'm kinda tired of the "Welcome to Moe's!" shoutouts. I've been there too many times (averaging about once a week or so for the past couple months) to really care anymore. What's even more funny is that I went to a Moe's recently on a Saturday mid-afternoon when it's dead. I mean, I can see the tumbleweeds blowing by me (cleanup on aisle 4). I was looking over the menu when the guy behind the counter walked up closer to me. When I finally looked at him, he gave a "welcome to Moe's..." in a wimpy mousy voice that tapered off...wow, he's probably embarassed to shout it out loud. I don't blame him. It's like Rusan's...people just get tired of the "irashyaimase!" that the sushi chefs yell out to you. And you know what's funny about that? They're pronouncing it wrong.

Anyway, on with Moe's. I went there just about once a week for the past few months. Why? I think Moe's added some kinda drugs in the Ruprict (for the rookies, that's the nachos without meat). It's so addictive. The chips are colorful unlike Willy's bland "mother of pearl" shade of beige. They're also thick too...they are the "Bounty quicker picker upper" of chips cuz they hold a ton of toppings without falling apart. Second, I love the queso poured all over. What's even better than queso? Shredded cheese sprinkled all over the gobs of liquid queso! Add lettuce, jalapeno and other toppings, and it's heaven on earth. In fact, I started off my New Years with a Ruprict for lunch. Best idea ever (but probably not to my waistline).

As for the rest of the menu, it's decent. I used to eat the burritos until I discovered the nachos. Now, I stick to the nachos, and satisfy my burrito craving elsewhere. It's not that it's bad (it's actually quite good), I just fell in love with the nachos here. The salsa here is decent as well, with several tasty choices like the "Kaiser Salsa." But overall, I like the salsa at Willy's much more. It has a spicy kick to it that I like. The meat options are decent as well, but I tend to like Bajaritos or Willy's meat products much more. Moe's meats are slightly less seasoned and bland. As a result, I like the Ruprict over the Billy Barou (nachos with your choice of meat).

Bottomline: be a ru(prick) and get a Ruprict at Moe's. Make sure to grab a frequent customer's card on the way out.

Rating: for nachos: Sooo Good, Sooo Cheap, Best Value

For the rest of the menu: Decent, Sooo Cheap, Good Value

Greg Factor: easy to satisfy a vegeterian. Only problem is Greg prefers Willy's.

Rick Factor: might be hard for a guy on Atkins, but I think they have some sort of naked burrito or fajita kind of dish.

Alyce Factor: she can probably find something without veggies, but it might be very bare

Jeff: the nachos should do it for a kid that likes the normal American stuff

WILLY'S

Well, here's the first review...this should make Johnson happy!!!

I just recently experienced a divine intervention while searching for the best burrito in town. On a busy Sunday afternoon, I was craving a burrito, but decided to skip the neighborhood Bajaritos since I always go there. I skipped Moe's because I don't like its burritos (they do have the best nachos though). And I planned on skipping Willy's because it's just too far. So...I decided on Chipotle...the closest location is just a few miles away from me. Best of all, I haven't tried it yet. So I was driving to Chipotle when I experienced the divine intervention...I took the wrong right turn onto the street that takes me to Willy's!!! 15 minutes later, I was ordering my regular burrito with just about everything but the guacamole. "Meat choices are limited but very tasty. The pork is my favorite there...reminds me of a mix of southern BBQ and Kalua pork from back home. The chicken is good too, but I went for the Adobe Chicken...SPICY but very zesty. This is THE best seasoning I've ever had on a meat in a burrito. With that said, Willy's has the best burrito in town. Well, I haven't visited every single burrito shop in ATL, but as of right now, I stand by this statement. What's even better than the best burrito? My regular burrito with whatever side topping I want topped out at less than $6.

Willy's also has amazing salsa. There's no gimmicks here...it's damn good salsa. spicy salsa. Just the way I like them. So do yourself a favor a pour a cupful of salsa over your burrito. Or just dip your chips in them. It's free anyway.

Besides the long drive, the only thing that spoiled my Willy's experience were the free chips. They're greasy-tasting and left a bad oily after taste. blech. That really sucks ass because I love nachos (hmmm craving Moe's nachos) and bad chips definitely will spoil the mood. In fact, they're so wimpy that I think they'll wither under the heavy toppings! Bad nachos, bad! Anyway, avoid the nachos at Willy's. They're overpriced too...go to Moe's and get yourself a Ruprict for under $4 for a more satisfying nachos experience.

So go grab yourself a Willy's burrito and start the new year on the right path. Forget your diets, eat a burrito. It's healthy and good for you (Rice and beans make complete proteins. Wow, I learned something in health class).

Bottomline: Willy's offers amazing burritos for cheap. Pour on the salsa and eat up. Go to the Piedmont location...it's real and spectacular there.

Rating: Sooo Good, Sooo Cheap, Best Value

Rick Factor: this is one place I'd hate to be Rick cuz I love the beans and tortilla. But I guess they can whip up something for a person on Atkins Diet...it'll just be kinda weird-looking.

Greg Factor: I know for a fact that Willy's is a staple in Greg's veggie diet.

Alyce Factor: Easy...but honestly, a burrito without meat will be kinda plain for me.

Jeff Factor: Willy's offers quite the "normal" fare so it should be easily to satisfy his pecular eating habit:)

Ok...here's how the ratings are set up:  

1. Food Quality: Sooo Good/Good/Decent/Bad/Sooo Bad  

2. Price: Sooo Cheap/Cheap/Priced Just Right/Expensive/Sooo Expensive

3. Value: Best Value/Good Value/Fare Value/Bad Value/Terrible Value  

Personally, I care most about the food quality, but if it's sooo good, but sooo expensive, then it might not be worth it (which I'll probably rate as a "fare value"). You get the idea...

Now there are several other factors that I'd like to consider:

1. Greg Factor: does the restaurant have veggie dishes for Greg?

2. Rick Factor: does the restaurant serve meals that Rick can eat while he's on the Atkins Diet?

3. Alyce Factor: does the restaurant have dishes with no veggie dishes for Alyce?

4. Jeff Factor: does the restaurant serve "normal" American food for Jeff?

Happy eating, y'all!

TZENGIT SURVEY's restaurant guide will be up shortly!