Sushi Samba Rio

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504 N Wells St (at Illinois Street)
Chicago, IL 60610

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(312) 595-2300
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Sushi Samba Rio - Chicago, IL
Sushi Samba Rio - Chicago, IL
Sushi Samba Rio - Chicago, IL
Sushi Samba Rio - Chicago, IL
Sushi Samba Rio - Chicago, IL
Sushi Samba Rio - Chicago, IL
Reviews
( 34 )
( 32 )
( 21 )
( 38 )
( 26 )

Best

The food here is awesome! I had spicy tuna rolls, and they were the best I've ever had. My sister had california rolls, and those were good too. My brother had cooked crab rolls, ...

Worst

Sitting at the sushi bar is the better choice. Tables for two are set up in tight rows which sits you right next to other diners. While you struggle to hear your date, you can h...

Talk about ambience 11/9/2003

This place is has a very good NY feel. Its not bad attitude, but it is posh. The staff is friendly, but inattentive. But when they do come by, they are very helpful and friendly. I expect staff, as in most decent places, to check up atleast once or twice to see how things are going(actually should be a few times). But Not Once! I had to repeatedly wave down our serviceperson. There were extremely long gaps between dishes... even between entrees. I do have to say I like the place, and would go back, but as a piece of advice they should advise guests that they believe in allowing time between courses to atleast excuse their disappearing routines. Maybe its just that they have the staff extremely stretched...I hope they get better as I would recommend them, if you aren't in a hurry to get anywhere later. Pros: excellent food, friendly staff, great sake selection Cons: service times, make reservations more
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Skip this place 11/5/2003

The place is very trendy and busy but the food is terrible. It is definitely not worth the price. There are much better places in Chicago to go eat. more
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Skip this place 11/5/2003

The place is very trendy and busy but the food is terrible. It is definitely not worth the price. There are much better places in Chicago to go eat. more
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NY hits Chicago 10/6/2003

This place is great. The minute you walk in the door..you feel like you left Chicago. Very cool vibe. My girlfriend and I headed there last Friday for dinner..luckily we had a reservation. The food was fab..the next course of food better than the last. I was quite amazed. I will be singing praises! Pros: valet Cons: hard to get reservati more
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NY hits Chicago 10/6/2003

This place is great. The minute you walk in the door..you feel like you left Chicago. Very cool vibe. My girlfriend and I headed there last Friday for dinner..luckily we had a reservation. The food was fab..the next course of food better than the last. I was quite amazed. I will be singing praises! Pros: valet Cons: hard to get reservati more
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Hot Hot Hot 10/6/2003

SushiSamba rio is a great addition to Chicago. It has great sushi, beautiful people with a great bar scene, music is off the hook...I recommend this for anyone who's looking for a great time. But I also recommend making a reservation. Pros: Scene, Sushi, Cocktails more
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Hot Hot Hot 10/6/2003

SushiSamba rio is a great addition to Chicago. It has great sushi, beautiful people with a great bar scene, music is off the hook...I recommend this for anyone who's looking for a great time. But I also recommend making a reservation. Pros: Scene, Sushi, Cocktails more
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Awkward table/seating 9/22/2003

Sitting at the sushi bar is the better choice. Tables for two are set up in tight rows which sits you right next to other diners. While you struggle to hear your date, you can hear the conversations of the people perfectly next to you. When the diner next to is getting up to leave, you either have to let them out, or you get their butt in your face. There is no private area to wash your hands. In fact, you are on display for the entire back of the restaurant when you wash your hands at an old trough, dressed up with Japanese river rocks. Sushi Samba Rio might be the place for groups of 4 or more. My dinner for two was $150.00 with tip and we only had 4 drinks. Not the best value. If this place stays open to christmas will be a miracle. Pros: modern decor, eclectic, good location Cons: expensive, not intimate, slow service more
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Awkward table/seating 9/22/2003

Sitting at the sushi bar is the better choice. Tables for two are set up in tight rows which sits you right next to other diners. While you struggle to hear your date, you can hear the conversations of the people perfectly next to you. When the diner next to is getting up to leave, you either have to let them out, or you get their butt in your face. There is no private area to wash your hands. In fact, you are on display for the entire back of the restaurant when you wash your hands at an old trough, dressed up with Japanese river rocks. Sushi Samba Rio might be the place for groups of 4 or more. My dinner for two was $150.00 with tip and we only had 4 drinks. Not the best value. If this place stays open to christmas will be a miracle. Pros: modern decor, eclectic, good location Cons: expensive, not intimate, slow service more
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Great Experience 9/21/2003

Had reservations for 10 pm on a Friday night. Werent seated until 10:40. It wasnt the best sushi in Chicago, but it was still above average. Their spicy tuna roll was one of the best Ive had (they use whole tuna pieces with the spicy sauce on top instead of chopped up tuna pieces mixed with the sauce). Had my first caipirinha here, it was very good. I definitely recommend u try it. Their edamames were also to die for. It was sprinkled with sea salt which made it great. For the 2 of us, 2 caipirinhas, 1 samba sushi (sushi combination plate), 1 edamame, 3 normal rolls, and 2 specialty rolls came out to 95 dollars (including tax, but not tip). Definitely not the best value, but this place is worth going to for the experience. Good for groups or parties. Wouldnt make it a regular though. Pros: Crowd, Food, Ambience Cons: Service, wait time more
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Great Experience 9/21/2003

Had reservations for 10 pm on a Friday night. Werent seated until 10:40. It wasnt the best sushi in Chicago, but it was still above average. Their spicy tuna roll was one of the best Ive had (they use whole tuna pieces with the spicy sauce on top instead of chopped up tuna pieces mixed with the sauce). Had my first caipirinha here, it was very good. I definitely recommend u try it. Their edamames were also to die for. It was sprinkled with sea salt which made it great. For the 2 of us, 2 caipirinhas, 1 samba sushi (sushi combination plate), 1 edamame, 3 normal rolls, and 2 specialty rolls came out to 95 dollars (including tax, but not tip). Definitely not the best value, but this place is worth going to for the experience. Good for groups or parties. Wouldnt make it a regular though. Pros: Crowd, Food, Ambience Cons: Service, wait time more
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try elsewhere like bob sans 9/10/2003

very moderate food combined with high prices. if you want good sushi.. go elsewhere like bob sans, mirai, or sushi wabi. Cons: expensive, untasteful more
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try elsewhere like bob sans 9/10/2003

very moderate food combined with high prices. if you want good sushi.. go elsewhere like bob sans, mirai, or sushi wabi. Cons: expensive, untasteful more
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aye carumba! 9/6/2003

Wow, what a cool-looking place with cool-looking food and drinks and cool-looking patrons! If that's what you're looking for, good for you. You've found the right place. If you want to eat, though, I'd recommend going somewhere else. We ate two of the only 7 or 8 entrees offered: the glass noodles and the monteqa something-or-other. They were $20 each and bland with sub-par seafood. What a waste of money. Why is this place supposedly so popular in NYC? Pros: Music, Decor, Bathrooms Cons: Food , Price, Crowded more
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aye carumba! 9/6/2003

Wow, what a cool-looking place with cool-looking food and drinks and cool-looking patrons! If that's what you're looking for, good for you. You've found the right place. If you want to eat, though, I'd recommend going somewhere else. We ate two of the only 7 or 8 entrees offered: the glass noodles and the monteqa something-or-other. They were $20 each and bland with sub-par seafood. What a waste of money. Why is this place supposedly so popular in NYC? Pros: Music, Decor, Bathrooms Cons: Food , Price, Crowded more
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what a joke 9/1/2003

This is a true place for people who don't like real sushi. It is overpriced crap. the maki(rolls) are all pre made and sitting behind the sushi bar just waiting to be sliced. What happened to fresh? one would think for $16 a roll it could be fresh. Their individual pieces are average and more expensive than any place in town. You can get the same quality at the grocery store if you understand my point. Cons: expensive, overrated more
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what a joke 9/1/2003

This is a true place for people who don't like real sushi. It is overpriced crap. the maki(rolls) are all pre made and sitting behind the sushi bar just waiting to be sliced. What happened to fresh? one would think for $16 a roll it could be fresh. Their individual pieces are average and more expensive than any place in town. You can get the same quality at the grocery store if you understand my point. Cons: expensive, overrated more
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don't fall for the hype 9/1/2003

If you really love sushi and are a fan of marai, bob san, or sushi wabi then do yourself a favor and stick with those. They, too, have a cool ambience with beautiful people, but their food is even better. Sushi Samba is a huge disappointment. I'm insulted that the chain believed that hip Chicagoans would entertain this place for more than a month. For those that are still hanging out in the crowded bar (duh!?!?! didn't you guys learn from the over crowded bar experience of Hudson Club!?) in November, then I'm afraid you've been drafted into the likes of those who are never on time for the true opening of hot spots. The food is less than acceptable, the ambience is kinda cool (if you like knowing that there is one just like it NYC and Miami), and the crowd is annoyingly trying to hard. Pros: some cool seating, service Cons: food, chain (NYC. Miami) more
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don't fall for the hype 9/1/2003

If you really love sushi and are a fan of marai, bob san, or sushi wabi then do yourself a favor and stick with those. They, too, have a cool ambience with beautiful people, but their food is even better. Sushi Samba is a huge disappointment. I'm insulted that the chain believed that hip Chicagoans would entertain this place for more than a month. For those that are still hanging out in the crowded bar (duh!?!?! didn't you guys learn from the over crowded bar experience of Hudson Club!?) in November, then I'm afraid you've been drafted into the likes of those who are never on time for the true opening of hot spots. The food is less than acceptable, the ambience is kinda cool (if you like knowing that there is one just like it NYC and Miami), and the crowd is annoyingly trying to hard. Pros: some cool seating, service Cons: food, chain (NYC. Miami) more
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Good Experience 8/20/2003

I did not know what to expect when we arrived. I was afraid that the ultra decor would be the best thing about the place but it was not. I had a very nice server, who was very attentive...I did not have to ask for anything twice. We were happy with everything that we ate. The drinks were good..and strong!! Overall it was a good experience! more
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Menu for Sushi Samba Rio


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Chic young Chicagoans flock to this energetic, clubby restaurant, whose blend of pulsing salsa rhythms and Asian influence is already a hit in New York and Miami. The cavernous...

  • 7/20/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Tue 11:30am-11pm Wed-Fri 11:30am-1am Sat 11:30am-2am Sun 12pm-11pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central
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