Taku Sushi Bar

Hello, Massachusetts sushi aficionados and culinary explorers! If you're on a quest for an unparalleled Japanese dining experience that combines exceptional quality with innovative culinary artistry, then it's time to discover Taku Sushi Bar in Beverly. Tucked away on Rantoul Street, this local gem has quickly garnered a reputation as potentially the "best sushi" on the North Shore, drawing praise for its incredibly fresh fish, creative menu, and attentive, knowledgeable staff. For those in Massachusetts seeking a truly elevated sushi experience that won't break the bank, Taku Sushi Bar offers a delightful surprise and a must-try destination.

Taku Sushi Bar is conveniently located at 211 Rantoul St, Beverly, MA 01915, USA. While the exterior might be described as "unassuming—a tidy storefront on a not-trendy block outside Beverly's downtown strip," this location makes it easily accessible for residents of Beverly and surrounding communities like Salem, Danvers, and Wenham. Rantoul Street is a well-known thoroughfare in Beverly, connecting various parts of the city. For those driving, street parking is generally available in the area, and its position slightly outside the immediate downtown bustle might even offer a bit more ease in finding a spot compared to the most central areas. Public transportation options, including local bus routes and proximity to commuter rail stations, also make it a feasible destination for those relying on transit. Its unassuming facade belies the culinary treasures within, making it a delightful discovery for those who venture just slightly off the main downtown drag.

Taku Sushi Bar focuses on providing a high-quality and intimate dining experience, with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and expert preparation.

• Dine-In Service: The restaurant offers a cozy interior with "a couple of booths, a couple of tables, and a sushi bar." This setting creates an intimate and welcoming atmosphere for enjoying a meal. The ambiance is noted for being calming, with a TV subtly playing Bob Ross to add to the relaxed mood.

• Sushi Bar Experience (Omakase Style): For the most authentic and personalized experience, sitting at the sushi bar is highly recommended. Here, patrons can engage with the chef directly. As one reviewer suggests, you can "let the chef pick the sushi for you (Omakase style)," allowing you to savor the freshest and most creative selections of the day.

• Takeout: For those who prefer to enjoy Taku's exquisite sushi at home, takeout is available. Orders can be placed for pickup, allowing customers to savor their favorite dishes from the comfort of their own space.

• Delivery via Third-Party Platforms: Taku Sushi Bar partners with popular delivery services like Grubhub, Seamless, and DoorDash, offering convenient delivery options to a wider area within Massachusetts. This ensures that even if you can't make it to Beverly, you can still enjoy their high-quality Japanese cuisine.

• Extensive Operating Hours: Taku Sushi Bar is open five days a week, providing flexible dining times. Their typical hours are Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM, Friday-Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM, and Sunday: 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM. They are closed on Mondays, allowing for both lunch and dinner service.

Taku Sushi Bar is celebrated for several distinctive features that elevate it beyond a typical sushi spot, making it a standout in Massachusetts:

• Exceptional Quality and Freshness of Fish: This is consistently highlighted as the restaurant's top asset. Reviewers emphasize the "quality, taste, and creativity of the menu," particularly the "freshness of the fish." Owner and chef Jerry Lin is noted for butchering whole fish to exacting standards and refusing to serve deliveries that don't meet his high-quality expectations, ensuring pristine offerings like "unctuous fatty tuna."

• Creative and Unique Dishes: Taku is praised for its innovation. Specific dishes like the "chili garlic hamachi" (not too spicy, overflowing with flavor while showcasing the fish's freshness), "Suzuki carpaccio" (with an enticing truffle complement), and the "salmon on fire" (a "theatrical" dish with a "wonderful, light, sharp contrast to the smokiness and fattiness of the salmon" from a raspberry sauce) are mentioned as examples of their culinary creativity.

• Attentive and Knowledgeable Service: The staff, particularly server Julie, receives high praise for being "attentive" and making "excellent suggestions." Their ability to guide diners through the menu and even suggest "pairing sake with our dishes" significantly enhances the dining experience, making guests feel well-cared for.

• Chef Jerry Lin's Expertise and Vision: Owner and chef Jerry Lin, with extensive experience in renowned sushi restaurants in Boston and New York, is the driving force behind Taku's excellence. His commitment to sourcing unique, top-grade fish directly from Japan (like shima-aji and ankimo), coupled with streamlined preparations that "eschew heavy sauces in favor of putting the spotlight on the fish," defines Taku's distinctive approach.

• Interactive and Artistic Presentation: Dishes are not just meals; they are "works of art, presented to be as pleasing to the eye as to the palate." Examples include the "sakura smoked hamachi" arriving in a "black orb" with fragrant smoke, and microgreens and tiny flower petals adorning many plates. This visual appeal adds another layer to the dining experience.

• Reasonable Pricing for Quality: Despite offering some of the "best sushi" in Massachusetts, customers note that it comes at a "reasonable fraction of the cost of some other places," providing exceptional value for the quality received.

• Focus on Simplicity and Natural Flavors: Chef Lin's philosophy prioritizes the inherent flavors of the fish and ingredients, avoiding overly complex sauces. This approach allows the quality of the fresh seafood to truly shine.

• Unique Ingredients: Taku offers rare and luxurious fish that are often hard to find, appealing to adventurous diners seeking new culinary experiences.

While specific, ongoing promotional deals like "Happy Hour" are not explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews, Taku Sushi Bar does offer value in several key ways, making it appealing to Massachusetts locals seeking high-quality Japanese cuisine:

• Exceptional Value for Quality: As noted by a reviewer, Taku provides "the best sushi I'd had in Massachusetts and a reasonable fraction of the cost of some other places." This inherent value, delivering top-tier sushi without the exorbitant price tag, serves as a significant ongoing "promotion."

• Lunch Specials: Their online menu indicates various lunch specials, which typically offer combinations of rolls or nigiri at a more economical price point than dinner options. For instance, they offer "Regular 2 Rolls" and "Regular 3 Rolls" specials. They also have "Sushi Lunch" and "Sashimi Lunch" options.

• Chef's Selection (Omakase Style): While not a "discount," opting for the Omakase style at the sushi bar with owner Jerry Lin provides a curated and often unique culinary journey that can represent exceptional value in terms of experience and ingredient quality for the price.

• Online Ordering and Delivery Platform Deals: Customers are encouraged to check Taku Sushi Bar's official website and listings on platforms like Grubhub, Seamless, and DoorDash. These services occasionally feature exclusive promotions, discounts, or delivery deals for local restaurants. For example, some online menus show various combinations and platters that could be considered good value for sharing.

The commitment to high-quality ingredients and artful preparation at a more accessible price point compared to other high-end sushi establishments in the region is a constant draw for Taku's patrons.

Ready to experience the exceptional sushi at Taku Sushi Bar in Beverly? Here’s how you can get in touch or find them:

• Address: 211 Rantoul St, Beverly, MA 01915, USA

• Phone: (978) 993-7185

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on their operating hours, special holiday schedules, or to inquire about specific menu items or reservations, it is always recommended to visit their official website or call them directly. Their general operating hours are:

• Monday: Closed

• Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM

• Friday-Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

• Sunday: 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM

For residents across Massachusetts, particularly those in the North Shore region, Taku Sushi Bar in Beverly stands out as a true gem for Japanese cuisine. It offers a sophisticated yet accessible sushi experience that is often hard to find. The consistent praise for its "quality, taste, and creativity," combined with its commitment to using incredibly fresh, often unique, ingredients, positions it as a premier destination for sushi lovers.

The interactive and artistic presentation of dishes, the knowledge and attentiveness of the staff (like Julie, who offers excellent suggestions and sake pairings), and the overall "calming ambiance" created by unique touches like the Bob Ross channel, all contribute to a highly memorable dining experience. Despite the high quality, the pricing remains a "reasonable fraction of the cost of some other places," offering exceptional value. Whether you're an experienced sushi connoisseur eager for an Omakase-style adventure with Chef Jerry Lin or simply looking for the "best sushi I'd had in Massachusetts" in a welcoming setting, Taku Sushi Bar is a must-visit. It's truly a standout culinary asset for the local community, promising a delightful return visit again and again.

Taku Sushi Bar

211 Rantoul St, Beverly, MA 01915, USA