Zen Japanese Food Fast

05/19/2008 Posted by sarahmurt

Quick, healthful lunch. Everything is tasty, love the green iced tea. Sushi and bowls are good, friendly service.

Pros: service, parking, healthful food

12/17/2007 Posted by chairvaincre

Sorry, 'healthy'? Would a place that charges extra for 'white meat' instead of 'dark meat' (why not use *all* white to begin with? McDonald's faces the same dilemma as well), for brown rice instead white (again why make a distinction this way?), so that a TINY bowl of something I can easily (ie under 10 mins) whip up at home with 3 ingredients ends up costing $8+...Thanks, but No thanks. I gander in terms of *strictly* portion control, it IS healthy (fasting *has* been scientifically corroborated to lengthen lifespan), but when you're so CHEAP that you need to charge 75 cents extra, 25 cents extra...for 'healthier' (still - organic? NO. free-range? NO) substitutions, your 'lifestyle' (I love this word) eating plans should just be called what they are: Disingenuous Marketing. Which, I see, works on 95%+/-2% Austinites. Yes, Zen Japanese Fast Food, err...Food Fast, I commend you absolutely for your efforts here. Oh, and the South Congress location, every time I walk by there, REEKS. (And to the 'idiot' below who demands her California rolls be made by Japanese people: when you go to Gattiland, do you always make sure with management that all the cooks *are* Italian?)

Pros: None.

Cons: Yes.

09/29/2007 Posted by decorator17

So I have never left a review for anything I just either dont think it was that bad or that good to go through the trouble. But I thought people should know what they are getting themselves into when they eat at Zen. I understand that somethings are fluke they happen to people sometimes but i dont think this is the case. I tried Zen yesterday not really expecting anything great, just cheap and fast. I am not a good food critic I dont really care as long as it isnt that bad but even looking at the sushi you can see that the edges are dry and the avacado was turning brown but i thought oh well just get it and pray you dont get food p****** so I got the sushi. I go to take a bite and see a hair it kind of looks like mine so i go to pull it off and the whole roll unravels practically (OMG) So then I see another one and the same thing happens so i take it up front and get the Dashi Bowl and when I finally get it (after 10 Minutes of the two white guys up front looking at me like i am an idoit and the two MEXICAN cooks in the back looking at me like a piece of meat) I just leave and take it home it wasnt terrible but i had to pick all the broccoli out because it was way undercooked (probably because the mexican cooks were not paying attention) And the salmon was a little salty I ate what i could and Vowed to never return. I can not stress enough how much it takes to send me running for the hills but they certainly did it. MY opinion is that I am glad if you have had good experiences but common sense tells me that most are bad with Mexican cooks (No Offense but if i want mexican food i am not going to be satisfied with a japanese cook either) and No one in there of asian decent. LIGHTBULB

Pros: CHEAP

Cons: EVERYTHING ELSE

06/25/2007 Posted by jsimpson23

One of the best Japanese restaurants in Austin. There food, service, environment is great. I've tried almost everything on their menu - all just really good. Highly recommended!

01/16/2007 Posted by austinman2004

I love this place! The staff is always super friendly, the atmosphere is great and the food is consistently good. I haven't had the sushi, but the teriyaki chicken is great!

Pros: The staff and teriyaki chicken

Cons: no dessert?

09/18/2006 Posted by lorigalloway

My husband and I eat at the Anderson Lane location at least once a week and are never disappointed. The food is great and the service is terriffic. Warning, lunch time is hectic, so call ahead if you are in a big hurry. Our favorites are the Spicy Chicken (substitute white meat & brown rice & add broccoli) the Bodhi Bowl, 7 Samauri BBQ and the Chicken Chop Salad (sub the ginger dressing if you are watching your weight). No the sushi is not the quality of some of the more expensive restaurants, but then neither are the prices. Everytime my brother-in -law come to Austin he has to eat lunch here the first day in town. The place is always hopping with happy crowds and from the number of repeat visitors (I recognise the faces) I would say they are as satisfied as I am with the food & service.

Pros: service, food, good for kids

Cons: ambience

04/03/2006 Posted by mediums

Service is friendly, the food is fine and arrives quickely. It's nice to have some healthy options such as brown rice. I've found the meals to be somewhat inconsistent, and the noodles are especially risky because they can be overcooked and mushy or inedibly undercooked. My main problem with this place is the lack of cleanliness. Even on an off-hour, every single table needs wiping.

Pros: Friendly service, Healthy food options, Quick

Cons: dirty tables, Variable food

03/21/2006 Posted by mediocritysucks

Yeah, the food is cheap, but it isn't even very good for the price. Worse is the service. Nothing but bad attitude dripping from the guy at the counter taking our order - rude and surly. To top it off, he botched the order, leaving out food that was charged and on the ticket. His manager tried to pass it off, saying "we must have been busy." No, you weren't. We were the only people at the counter. Your staff apparently can't get the two essential elements of service right - delivering the order to the customer and not offending them. Never again. You don't even get what you pay for here.

02/11/2006 Posted by ls5216

I don't understand why Zen is so popular - their sushi is not very good at all - not very filling for what you pay - I am not going there again. I think the H-E-B has better sushi for the price.

Pros: Cheap, Quick

Cons: Food not good

01/25/2006 Posted by lunatx

This place is one of my faves. If I lived closer I would buy their MISO everyday!