Sugano Japanese Restaurant

Stepping into this delightful place is like stepping into a small restaraunt in Japan. Any wait you have is well more than worth it as the food is fresh and home made. Sugano son is a master sushi chef and a delight to watch. More than recommend it more

Let me first quote what my husband, who is a shrimp connoisseur of sorts, said at Sugano last night: ""This is the best piece of shrimp I've ever tasted...ever."" He was referring to the piece of sushi he had just eaten. Lexington has a number of wonderful Japanese restaurants and there are few I would give a thumbs down to, but Sugano is just different. It's a no muss, no fuss ""dive"" type of place where the goal seems to be simply to provide amazing food. And the food is really amazing. Even if the atmosphere was nearly intolerable, we would tolerate it for the food. Luckily, the atmosphere is really interesting and every visit is different. Because the ""front"" area is so small many conversations are easily heard. This isn't annoying like it would be in many other restaurants; many patrons seem to (a)be regulars (b)be fluent in the Japanese language (c)truly have a kinship with the staff. Sugano isn't the only sushi restaurant my husband and I frequent, but if asked for the most 'authentic' Japanese cuisine in town it would be our immediate answer. more

If you like true Japanese food it doesn't get any better than Sugano. The food you find on the menu is the food you would see on the menu in Japan, and it's done right. Other places get frozen fish pre-cut, loosing much of the texture and taste. Sugano gets fresh whole fish which he cuts himself. Which leads me to my next point, everything is made in house, aside from the soy sauce. Oh it's glorious. Can't wait to go back again. Pros: Sushi, Authentic Japanese Dishes, Big Japanese Beers Cons: Wont win any interior/exterior design awards more

People that say this restaurant is no good are completely insane. Sugano has everyday regulars who spend a lot of money there and of course they get preferential treatment. Every time I've been there I have been treated very nicely and I am not Japanese, I am American. The prices are extremely reasonable and the food is excellent and as close as you can get to an actual Japanese bar without going to Japan. I've been many times and have gotten in and out in about an hour every time. This restaurant has become the favorite of my friends and I and everyone should try it! Pros: Everything Cons: nothing more

The food is authentic and absolutely the best in the area. Most of the sushi chefs in town go here to eat. Always the best of signs. The person who wrote the negative review seems to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Many of the Japanese patrons have special orders that are basically catered before they arrive. That creates the illusion of preferential treatment. Not to mention the fact most of the patrons are personal friends of the owners/chef. This is not a place to get in and out. Especially when it is busy. You take this place in and enjoy the excellence of the food. Sushi Friend?! Please. If you want McSushi go just about anywhere else in town. If you are looking for the goods, Sugano has it. Pros: The food and the staff. Both are top notch. Cons: If you like flash over substance go somewhere else more

Do not waste your time here unless you are Japanese, because Japanese are very clearly given discrimatory preferential treatment over Americans here. We had reservations at 7 and did not start to get our food until 9:30. We had to leave at 10:45, and two of the people in our party did not get their food at all. The server sat us and brought our drink orders and then did not return at all to check on us. We had to send someone out to ask for refills several times. We got virtually ZERO service. The attitude of the management seemed to be ""If you don't like it then leave."" When we were actually leaving at the end of the night the waiter told us that the chef does not have an assistant anymore -- so basically there is one guy making each order one at a time on a busy saturday night. when I called to make the reservations I specifically asked if they would be able to accomodate our party of 10, and was told that it would be no problem -- what a lie!!!! The location is right next to a ""hole in the wall"" bar, and we were harassed in the parking lot both coming and going by people begging for change, ladies watch your handbags here. Pros: ??? Cons: bad service, bad location, so-so food more

Sugano is far and away the best sushi restaurant in Lexington. It's fresh, it's real, it's straightforward, and it tastes great. Sugano is a family-owned business with a loyal following among the Toyota community in Kentucky -- a real stamp of authentic Japanese approval. The setting isn't fancy, but that is what makes it all the more appealing -- the emphasis is on the food, not the frills. Pros: affordable, great service, great food, everything is fresh Cons: if you are looking for a romantic get-away restaurant, it isn't Sugano more

You will see lots of Japanese haging out in Sugano. Why? Because they serve the real Japanese foods. Foods are not Americanized, so you can feel ans taste the real Japanese culture! more