Description: The Kyushu Japanese Restaurant on Truman Avenue in Key West is an easy-to-find location convenient to tourist traffic on Route One. The large black and white sign that is in front of the restaurant is hard not to notice. It was on my third trip to the Keys that I finally decided to stop in this prominent location for lunch.
Walking into the Kyushu Restaurant in the afternoon was a bit strange; they didn’t have a hostess to guide you to the seating area, but half the restaurant was evidently still closed until the evening hours. After poking my head around a rice-paper-screened corner, the bartender beckoned to me to have a seat in the area that was concealed from the evening dining room and entrance. There were about 10-15 tables in this area as well as seats at the bar which were occupied by area-based Navy personnel.
Kyushu’s lack of hostess aside; the service here was more-than-adequate. I was promptly given a menu as well as a list of specials by a very-efficient and friendly waitress. She returned promptly in two minutes with water for our table and to take orders. A short time later, our food arrived after watching our sushi orders being rolled behind the bar by an expert.
Kyushu had several nice lunch specials including a bento-box style entrée with sushi and vegetable mix-and-match options. I had an excellent plate consisting of edamame, avocado and cucumber rolls, and vegetable tempura. I was surprised at the amount of food that they gave you with the special since it was only $8.
Some local ingredients play a part in the menu at Kyushu. Conch Sushi? Check! Key West Roll? Check! There aren’t too many of these items that veer away from traditional sushi, but tourists especially will appreciate their inclusion on Kyushu’s menu.
Prices on Kyushu’s menu seemed pretty standard for sushi as I’ve seen at other restaurants before. Special entrees capped out at about $30 and individual rolls ranged between $4 and $10. The lunch special seemed to be the only exceptional deal this restaurant offered.
Unfortunately, the positive impression that was left on me by the quality of food and service here was all but undone with a visit to the establishment’s ladies room. Oh dear! I think an outhouse would have been nicer; you could not see your reflection in the dingy mirror and there was a proliferation of insects in a corner. The level of disgusting was completely unanticipated by me after enjoying a nice lunch here.
I would recommend Kyushu for the food and service, but just make sure you use the restrooms elsewhere before or after.
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