Texas Sushiko

For Texans seeking a truly distinctive and fun take on Japanese cuisine, Texas Sushiko offers an experience unlike any other in Austin. This isn't your traditional sit-down sushi restaurant; instead, it's an innovative concept specializing in open-faced hand rolls and Japanese-inspired snacks, cleverly situated within the vibrant space of Texas Saké Company. It’s a place where culinary creativity meets a relaxed, engaging atmosphere, making it a unique destination for locals looking to try something new.

Texas Sushiko originated from a desire to make omakase-quality sushi more approachable, breaking down barriers for those who might find raw fish daunting. Executive Chef Michael Carranza developed the "sushi taco" concept—open-faced hand rolls—to introduce his own family to the delights of sushi. This innovative format, combined with a focus on high-quality ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations (like scallop with truffle and cheese!), creates a memorable and enjoyable dining adventure. If you’re in Austin and open to a fresh perspective on Japanese food, Texas Sushiko promises an experience that's both delicious and delightfully unconventional.

Texas Sushiko is located at 440 E St Elmo Rd Ste B-2, Austin, TX 78745, USA. Its distinct placement "inside of Texas Saké" Company adds to its unique charm. This address positions it in the buzzing St. Elmo Yard area, a lively district in South Austin known for its breweries, distilleries, and creative businesses.

Being part of the Texas Saké Company means that parking is generally available on-site or in nearby lots within the St. Elmo Yard complex. The area is well-connected and easily accessible from major Austin thoroughfares, making it a convenient destination for those coming from various parts of the city. The shared space with Texas Saké not only adds to the atmosphere but also provides a seamless pairing opportunity between your food and local craft sake.

Texas Sushiko provides a focused menu of creative hand rolls and Japanese-inspired small plates, designed for a casual yet high-quality dining experience within the Texas Saké Company taproom.

• Open-Faced Hand Rolls (Sushi Tacos): This is their signature offering. Instead of traditional rolled sushi, they serve unique open-faced hand rolls in a "taco" shape, making them easy to eat and enjoy. Options include:
  • Seafood varieties: Scallop (with parmesan, black pepper, hints of truffle), Salmon (with sesame oil, goma shio), Hamachi (serrano soy, dill, lime), Bluefin Tuna (fatty bluefin, confit garlic, parmesan), Salmon Skin.
  • Non-seafood options: Spam (grilled spam, shiro dashi aioli, furikake, green onion), Pork Belly (sous vide and grilled with kimchi).
• Skewer Selection (Yakitori): Texas Sushiko offers various grilled skewers, which patrons have found to be "good too" with "a little citrusy with a great char." Options may include duck breast, chicken thigh, and tsukune (chicken meatball with bacon, ginger, scallions).
• Innovative Small Plates: Their menu includes unique Japanese-inspired appetizers and snacks that go beyond traditional offerings, such as Frito Pie (sesame yellowfin tuna poke, shiro dashi aioli, pico de gallo, fritos), Elotes (grilled corn, Japanese mayo, bonito flakes, lime), and even "Caviar & Pringles."
• Order via iPad: The ordering process is streamlined and modern; customers order from an iPad at the counter, and then staff find them at their table within the Texas Saké bar. This creates a self-serve yet attentive service style.
• Dine-in at Texas Saké: Customers can enjoy their food inside the Texas Saké Company's tasting room or at outdoor picnic tables, providing a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
• Takeout & Delivery: Texas Sushiko offers delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash. For to-go orders of hand rolls, they are "rolled like normal rolls vs. open-faced handrolls" for practicality.

Texas Sushiko brings several compelling features that make it a standout among Austin's Japanese dining scene:

• Unique Open-Faced Hand Roll Concept: This is arguably its most distinctive feature. The "sushi taco" format is innovative, approachable, and a fun way to enjoy fresh sushi, making it memorable for diners.
• High-Quality and Creative Flavors: Despite the casual setting, the food quality is praised. Customers highlight the "incredibly savory" scallop hand roll with "hints of truffle and cheese" and the overall deliciousness of the skewers. The use of premium ingredients like "fatty bluefin tuna" also stands out.
• Casual and Engaging Atmosphere: Located within Texas Saké Company, the vibe is "awesome!" with "great music – Linkin Park playing – and Anime provided." This creates a "pretty darn fun" and relaxed environment that sets it apart from more formal sushi establishments.
• Integration with Texas Saké: The collaboration with Texas Saké Company is a major draw, allowing patrons to seamlessly pair their unique sushi creations with local craft sake and other beverages.
• Modern Ordering System: The iPad-based ordering system is efficient and caters to a tech-savvy crowd, streamlining the process.
• Accessibility of Omakase-Quality Ingredients: While not a full omakase, the concept originated from a desire to make high-quality, chef-selected ingredients more accessible, reflecting a commitment to superior components.

While Texas Sushiko's pricing model for individual hand rolls and small plates leans towards premium ingredients and unique preparations, they do offer special events and collaborations that provide unique value to locals:

• Crawfish Boil Sundays: Texas Sushiko participates in Sunday Crawfish Boils at Texas Saké Co. This special event offers "fresh, perfectly seasoned crawfish for $20 per pound, served with all the fixings—potatoes, corn, and sausage." It's paired with Texas Saké Co.'s drink specials, including $5 draft Junmai sake and $6 draft rice lager. This is a recurring seasonal event.
• Oyster Fest/Big Shuckin' Party: They have hosted events like the "Big Shuckin' Party," featuring "incredible selection of freshly shucked Gulf and East Coast oysters" and specials like "$1 oysters, $3 dressed oysters, $10 caviar." These special events offer unique culinary experiences at specific price points.
• Happy Hour (Texas Saké Company): While not directly from Texas Sushiko, being inside Texas Saké Company means patrons can take advantage of the sake bar's happy hour specials, which often include discounted draft Junmai sake and rice lager.

Given its unique concept and focus on high-quality ingredients, Texas Sushiko's promotions tend to be more event-driven or tied to the Texas Saké Company's offerings rather than traditional daily discounts on individual sushi items.

To experience the innovative hand rolls and unique atmosphere of Texas Sushiko, here’s how to find and connect with them:

Address: 440 E St Elmo Rd Ste B-2, Austin, TX 78745, USA

As Texas Sushiko operates inside Texas Saké Company, they do not have a separate phone number. For inquiries, it is best to check their website or social media for the most current information and hours. Their presence on delivery apps also provides direct access for ordering.

For Texans in Austin, Texas Sushiko offers a fresh, exciting, and accessible interpretation of Japanese cuisine that is perfectly suited to the city's vibrant and innovative spirit. While some reviews express concern over the price point for the portion sizes, highlighting the difference from "all you can sushi" options, the value at Texas Sushiko lies in its unique concept, the quality of its ingredients, and the overall fun atmosphere. It’s not about quantity, but about a curated, high-quality experience.

The "solid" hand rolls with intriguing flavors like the "incredibly savory" scallop with truffle and cheese, along with the "good" and "citrusy" skewers, demonstrate a commitment to culinary excellence. The "awesome atmosphere" with great music and anime creates a dining environment that is "pretty darn fun" and aligns well with Austin's quirky charm. For locals seeking a place with "a great setup, atmosphere, and food," and who appreciate a creative, modern take on sushi and Japanese snacks, Texas Sushiko is a must-try. It's an ideal spot for a unique date night, a casual meet-up with friends, or simply an adventurous culinary exploration right in your backyard.

Texas Sushiko

440 E St Elmo Rd Ste B-2, Austin, TX 78745, USA