Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, Chicago, IL

Rating:

 4.5

Cost:

Trendy, bustling restaurant with an upscale-urban vibe & a creative take on Japanese cuisine.

Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar

Discover Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar in Chicago, IL

Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar in Chicago, IL, offers a vibrant blend of Japanese flavors with a fun, modern twist, making it a standout spot for fresh sushi and grilled delights in the heart of the city. This bustling venue features an upscale-urban atmosphere that combines creative cuisine with accessible design, including wheelchair-friendly entrances and seating for all guests. Diners can enjoy a variety of inventive dishes that fuse traditional Japanese elements with playful American influences, perfect for those seeking top-rated sushi experiences nearby. The restaurant's lively vibe and thoughtful layout create an inviting space for casual meals or group gatherings, enhanced by options like outdoor seating and a selection of beverages. With its focus on quality ingredients and innovative presentations, it's an ideal choice for anyone exploring sushi restaurants in the area.

Summarized by AI using the Grok-3-Mini model.

What People Are Buzzing About This Sushi Spot

Visitors often praise the wide range of sushi options and flavorful grilled items, noting that the fresh rolls and creative combinations make for a satisfying meal in a lively setting. While some mention occasional waits during busy times, the overall atmosphere and attentive service add to the enjoyable experience, especially for groups or those new to Japanese cuisine. Many highlight the tasty non-sushi choices, like tender meats, as a great alternative for everyone at the table, keeping the vibe relaxed and fun. Despite a few comments on menu updates feeling a bit streamlined, the general consensus leans toward it being a worthwhile stop for quality food and drinks. If you're hunting for the best sushi near you, this place delivers a solid, memorable outing with its welcoming energy and reliable flavors.

Summarized by AI using the Grok-3-Mini model.

Address & Phone

River North
230 W Erie St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 662-4888

Wheelchair Accessiblility

Entrance:Restroom:Seating:

Payment Options

Accepts credit cards:Accepts debit cards:Accepts nfc:

Reviews

  • Todd Johnson  3

    Good rolls, like the variety with skewers. Modern, interesting decor. Busy night, never saw our server after taking our initial order until we were able to flag them down for the bill.

  • D “Juanito” H  3

    The first time and last time we were here was over a decade ago when this joint first opened up. It was one of the first Japanese robata grill joints in Chicago downtown and I remember our experience was good, nice ambient and sushi selections. I remember that I didn't care for the ramen and there was really nothing memorable. We decided to give it another try after all of these years, just to confrim the reasons why we haven't been back. The ambient is ok, much brighter then before, weird layout with tables and seats wrapping along the walls and that big pillar in the middle. The Saturday we were there, it was about 60% capacity, wasn't busy. The menu changed drastically, it used to be much bigger with higher end offerings, wine / sake paring and such, now it is just like a neighborhood sushi joint (I think that is what they going for now), the sushi was good, but for some reason, they were really wet, drenched in sauce (luckily they were light) and infused oil. Fresh fish. They took the ramen off the menu which was a bummer because that is the typical order at the end of the Japanese meal. The robata was OK. The skirt steak order has a good amount of it, very tender but it is missing the grilled flavor. The chicken thighs were a bit over cooked, dry. They only had 3 beers left on the menu. The service was OK but the food came quite late considering their capacity that night. The robata came up first and we had to wait for the sushi, and we didn't get our last orders of sushi even after we finished eating everything else, so we had to cancel the last orders and leave. Again, nothing special and nothing memorable, the menu is too limited. It went from a high end date night joint to a screaming baby, bachelorette party neighbor joint. It is unfortunate.

  • Michael C  5

    A huge selection, great atmosphere and attentive staff. Some of the best, perfectly made items I've had for a long time. The pork rib was totally amazing. It's great to take people who aren't into sushi (er huh) so they have something great too. Can't say how awesome the staff was. Wasn't too busy, so hopefully they keep it up during busy times. Definitely worth a stop!

  • Sara Richey  5

    The yam mash on guacamole was extremely good. All the Japanese barbecue was amazing! Pricing for 4, we ate a lot of sushi, was $258! Try it out and you'll be pleased.

  • Lyd (DrizyL)  5

    I love it here! Sushi selection is great ‘! Alejandro the bartender makes some tasty drinks and is very friendly to talk to!! (Def sit at the bar top) Chill vibes and a nice quick bite to eat!