All You Can Eat Sushi @ Shinju Sushi(chi)

Sushi lovers living in a less populated area will tend to dine on it as a special occasion due to it's bank breaking prices.  In a more populated area going out for sushi is a norm.  Many will have it for lunch, snack and even breakfast.  Sushi joints are fresh, cheap and plentiful here in Chi-town.  If there's a market for it, than it's going to be fresh.   Don't be fooled by the fish you see displayed at your local small town grocery store.  All of those fish you see has been thawed out.  How do I know?  Well just look at the dull dry color on the flesh.  Smart vendors will rub fine European salt on it to give it that fresh slimy look.        

Before I begin, let's take a little sushi lesson.  Many people misinterpret the term sushi.  Too most, when they hear the word sushi they think of raw fish.  Let's put the term to rest once and for all.  

First let's start with the seaweed paper that a sushi roll is wrapped in.  It's dried up seaweed also referred to as nori. Second, let's define the word sushi.  Sushi is the rice part of the roll.  It's mix with vinegar, salt, sugar and sake.  Last but not least the term shashimi which implies raw meat.  Sushi is traditionally consumed with sweet pickled ginger and a mixture of wasabi and soy sauce.  

So where can you find great sushi at great prices in the city?  Well you can start by venturing towards 53rd and Dorchester just a little more south of Soldier field.  The pink line metra can dump you off nearby then it's only a hop sushi scotch away from your oceanic ecstasy.  What you'll find is a place call Shinju Sushi.  One thing I must advise is you better call ahead of time for reservations because during dinner rush, they get scrunched up tight like Dwight Yokam and his brand new Wranglers.

Shinju Sushi has a very elegant crimson look with a few ottomans to lounge around on.  It's also decorated with a few salt water fish tanks embedded into the wall that separates the prep area from the dining area that runs parallel to it.     

Here's the best part, Shinju serves a special that is irresistible to any sushi lover.  Only $20 for all you can chow down on any type of sushi you like.  There's so many fresh variety it's impossible to list.  You'll just have to go see for yourself but be warned though, you must finished everything on your plate before you can order more.  Some people with tend to just consume the fish part and set aside the rice.

What was our bill you asked?  Well, for a party of six our bill came out to an astounding low price of $130!  Wow!  I'd paid that much for a table for two.  We also brought in a few bottles of our very own wine.

There's a handful of restaurants that has these specials.  You'll just have to find them.  Also remember, most restaurants in Chicago is a BYOB, which means bring your own booze.  Just look for the giant acronym on the window.  

http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/text/shinju%20sushi/all-areas/all-neighborhoods/all-cuisines/