Never have I eaten inside, instead I always do carry out. Always friendly on the phone and I when I come in to pick up food. I usually get the Philadelphia Roll and Sunday Morning roll and if I am feeling it, the Miso Soup. Very good! Not crazy pricey and very good. I used to go to Tokyo Sushi across from OU and wow Makimoto is SO much better! The sushi tastes much fresher than Tokyo Sushi. Miso soup is pretty good as well but the sushi is what keeps me going back.
(4)
Matt H.
I've been to several sushi places in the northwest suburbs and this is still by far the best. I get carry out every week or two, as it's just off I-75 on my way home from work. A few weeks back I ordered my usual spicy rolls and added a random AAC for my wife...which they charged but forgot to include. She was bummed but they were happy to add it onto my next order for free. I've been here dozens of times and that was the first and only time that has happened, and they handled it well. I typically order a spicy white tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, and then either spicy cali roll or spicy shrimp roll. The rolls are put together well and always taste fresh. What really sets them apart is that even their fairly basic rolls have some veggies mixed in. So many other places I've tried have two options: big deluxe rolls that fall apart, or small basic rolls that have little or no vegetables. I really like that most Makimoto rolls are somewhere in between...a happy medium that fits into one bite.
(5)
Lori C.
Excellent service and excellent food. Maybe this restaurant should show other resturants how it's done, because they got it right!
(5)
Joe T.
This was my first time eating at Makimoto. It's around the corner from my office and thought I'd check it out. I wasn't expecting much considering it's in the middle of a small strip mall, but from the minute I walked in, I was impressed. Aesthetically appealing and much larger than I had anticipated including seating at a decent sized sushi bar. I was one of the first to arrive but the place started to fill-in with the lunch crowd from the local office buildings. Didn't order sushi this time since the Chicken Katsu Rice Bowl caught my eye. Good portion size and it came with miso soup and cucumber salad. Some of the best chicken katsu I've had. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Natasha P.
Just had a super quick lunch here with the hubby, who slipped out between two meetings. We ordered the bulgogi bowl and a sushi combo of the Alaskan roll, a California roll and a cucumber roll; both lunch specials. It came with a cucumber salad and a miso soup each an so ended up being a lot of food. The miso soup was very nice, and a little salty, which I really liked. The cucumber salad was a little on the sweeter side (like several other reviews mentioned) but I thought it was delicious. I really liked it that way. The sushi was great, well made and had very fresh tasting fish. The next time we're gonna have to try some different rolls. The beef bulgogi was so-so; not fabulous but tasty and a fairly large bowlful. All in all, this is a great place for a quick work lunch. Ideally, this would be 3 1/2 stars, but I've rounded up to 4.
(4)
Rebecca B.
Went with a few others who had various pieces of sushi. Also had my usual (miso soup, ginger salad, and avocado roll). I felt that it was very fresh. The salad dressing was a little different than the ginger dressing I've had in the past. Perhaps it was made with sesame oil? Anyway, it was tasty. The miso soup was also quite good. The wasabi wasn't overly hot, but I can get over it. The only icky thing was the ambience. It reminded me of an empty cafeteria. I think it is probably better for lunch...
(4)
Mee C.
Great place to eat at. Im usually really picky when it comes to sushi and this place has pretty good sushi. Like that they also have some korean food there too. Would definitely go back. Service is great here as well.
(5)
Elizabeth K.
First time here, and my boyfriend and I were intrigued by the mango offered on several rolls. I enjoyed the mango, but he did not. We both very much enjoyed the Red Tiger and East rolls, and the Shrimp California tasted about the same as other places. It tasted very fresh, and I loved the taste of the tuna in the rolls. Pricing was average, $32 for five rolls (Red Tiger, East, Shrimp California, Tango, and Mango Crunch), a little cheaper than nearby areas. I suggest the location, and I enjoyed the sushi!
(4)
Alex K.
Muh gurlfran and I got take out from Makimoto yesterday when we decided we needed sushi in our bellies. I notice a few people going off on the service in some reviews, so maybe it's a good thing we decided to get take out. By the way, at 7pm on a Saturday night, they were really quiet inside... bad sign? I wasn't worried. #YELPERFAITH We wound up ordering the Red Dragon roll, White Dragon roll, pork dumpling things, and a couple orders of Miso soup. I feel that's probably a good thing to mention. The Red Dragon roll was m'favorite thing, I'd say. The Red Dragon has spicy tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, sriracha, spicy mayo, and a crunchy topping. Yeah, it sounds like it'd be really spicy, but it's not. There's a little bit of heat, but it mostly just has a really nice flavor. The pork dumplings were about $6 or something along those lines, and came with just six or eight dumplings. I thought they were really good, but you should get a bit more for the price... but what should I have expected from a sushi place? The Miso soup I got because I haven't ever had Miso soup before -- it turned out to be well worth getting: mild, simple, cheap, and maybe most importantly, not too salty. I liked it, even though it smelled a lot like a farmhouse or something like that. The one thing neither I or muh gurlfran really cared for was the White Dragon roll. There's nothing inherently wrong with it or anything, but it's kind of bland. Still, it sort of serves its purpose as a "palette cleanser" sushi after rolls like the Red Dragon. I wouldn't order it again, but I also wouldn't turn it down. The total bill was about $35, which is probably about standard for the amount of food we got... it probably didn't help that we chose two of the most expensive sushi rolls on the menu, but it was well presented (even for being a take out order), the fish was fresh, and the food as a whole was enjoyable.
(4)
Alyssa H.
Reasonable for sushi and quick service. Perfect for a business traveler looking for a quick dinner that isn't the local sandwich shop. Drink prices were slightly high compared to the sushi, but overall a good value. Would definitely return when I am in Auburn Hills.
(4)
Jeff P.
Got their Sashimi.. Ordered Tuna, Salmon, Red Snapper, Shrimp, Eel, Avocado,.. just two pieces each.. Also got their spicy tuna roll (6pcs). It was delicious. Also ordered the salad and it was pretty good. So overall positive experience and delicious food with great service. I'm def going back
(4)
Saphire J.
The food here is okay. I ate the sunday morning roll. I find this place to be a tad on the pricer side, but it's okay. The owners kind of gave a cold vibe. I did not feel that the atmosphere was warm and fuzzy. I think I would rather just get takeout next time. Other than that, I don't have much to say. It's an okay place.
(3)
Alissa H.
Yelpers, you have led me astray. This was an overall no bueno experience both for food and service. My coworker lunch buddy has celiac disease so we're always on the look out for good gluten-free friendly places and she, like a champ, agrees to try anywhere which often leads to hilarity (case in point: TGI Friday telling her that everything on their menu has gluten, even the lettuce). Alas, Makimoto is the antithesis of gluten-free friendly (or even friendly in general). At the outset, we asked what they had on their menu that was GF. The waitress looked at my coworker, wide eyed, and said "Do you have the thing?" We didn't know what that meant so we stared back. After a couple uncomfortable seconds of the death stare, my coworker asked what she was talking about. The waitress said "You know, the thing, with the allergy." Yes, yes, she has "the thing." So, at this point, we clearly feel like we're in good hands. But, oh noes! Even though our waitress knew about "the thing," there is next to nothing to eat here for people in this sordid, shock-inducing category. Our waitress could only recommend one thing that she had previously confirmed with the chef was GF: the fried tofu. Which she brought out with a soy sauce-based dipping sauce. When we asked what was in it she said "lemon..... and ginger....." Since they do have GF soy sauce here, we wondered if that's what was used since she knew about the allergy. Nope! And she didn't know if they could make it GF because it's not made in-house, but she'll check. 10-15 minutes later and.... crickets. She came back with a pitcher of water and we asked what the chef said about the sauce. Looking shocked that we even had to ask, she said "Nope, not GF." So.... next logical question.... can it be made GF? "Oh, nope." Maybe tell us this before the fried tofu got cold and soggy? She didn't offer any other sauce alternatives for the flavorless fried tofu and white rice before flitting away. We made our own GF dipping sauce of out the ginger with my sushi and the GF soy sauce on the table. Better than nothing, which was the only option presented by the establishment. My sushi was meh. The rolls were cut unevenly and didn't stay together when picked up with chopsticks which was not user error because, toot-toot (that's my own horn), I am awesome with chopsticks. The flavor of the spicy yellowtail roll was decent, but not spicy. The other two rolls I had were unmemorable. Overall, both a comical and uncomfortable lunch experience with food that wouldn't have brought me back even if the service wasn't keeping me away.
(1)
Morgan A.
Very good sushi. The ambience is a little dull. Perfect place for lunch, wouldn't go on date night here.
(4)
Bill D.
Great sushi considering we are in Michigan! Fresh fish, tasty toppings, and the seaweed wrappers were not chewy. Price was decent and could be called cheap in some cities. Nice friendly staff, nice interior seating comfy. And they accept all the popular Credit Cards including AMEX of which many asian places won't take!
(5)
Meg B.
I came here with a very large group. Our waitress informed us that she was the only one on staff. I was prepared for it to be a long night, but we actually got our food in a decent amount of time. I was happy with our service and my food choice. It seemed that everyone else I was with felt the same.
(4)
Lauren C.
Makimoto is my "going home" sushi spot. The big apple and alaskan rolls are my favorite. I wouldn't say it's the best sushi I've ever had, but it's definitely one that I can be consistently satisfied with. The prices are fair, not great, but not horrible. Their lunch menu is their best deal and don't be deceived by the happy hour menu online - they do not have an happy hour. The waiters and sushi bar staff are especially nice. They are always very friendly when I make an order. Again, I would highly recommend them. I haven't found another good place in the area.
(4)
Saeed D.
Fresh fish, and really good presentation with a reasonable price. I'll definitely will go there again. The atmosphere is not fancy, so i don't recommend it for a first date. But if you like sushi, here is where you should hangout ;)
(5)
Robert R.
The best sushi in Detroit metro served in an obscure- out of the way - corner of Auburn hills. Each bite is like flavor explosion served in a friendly welcoming environment.
(5)
Matthew S.
Man I love this place. Fresh fish, warm fresh rice, friendly atmosphere, plenty of seating, crafty chefs.. All in all delicious. I usually come here during my lunch break for work and it's the perfect spot. If you want a lite meal you can have one roll or a few pieces of nigiri. This restaurant cares about its quality and its customers, guarantee.
(5)
Craig L.
There's a good motto I like to live by: "Sushi is good. Cheap is good. Cheap sushi is not good." Fear not my fellow seaweed wrapped fish munchers, Makimoto passed the test! It not only is of typical sushi price, it was extremely good! The spicy tuna roll was out of this world, and this says something as I am a connoisseur of spicy tuna rolls (see nonexistent credentials). Instead of just having some spicy mayo squirted on top, the tuna looked and tasted as if it had been marinated in spicy goodness. Nomnomnomnom! I also ordered the "Yum Yum roll". Guess what where the first two words out of my mouth after I finished chewing. You guessed it, Yum Yum indeed. Not only did I leave full bellied and satisfied, I left happy. I was happy to pay my bill. I was happy as I waved goodbye. I was so happy, that I came back two more times! Sadly, the final time I left unhappy. Unhappy because I knew I wouldn't be back in Auburn Hills for the foreseeable future, and this means I wont see Makimoto again for some time. Good job Makimoto, you made one sushi crazed man very happy.
(5)
Gerold S.
Great Japanese Sushi food and a lot of other delicious warm entrees. I m so happy that I found this place. Since my first visit I became a regular guest here. At least one time a week I try their especially high quality food. It s not pricy here but you get food that seems to be a lot more pricy ;-) The service is always nice and friendly. No waiter pushes you to be in a hurry or is forcing you to senseless smalltalk. The guys behind the Sushi bar are always observant and gracious. Never had the chance but Happy Hour is Mo-Fr 3-6. If you like Sushi in all variants that s the place to go!
(5)
Wontongirl C.
Service was great. I ate at the sushi bar and was offered refills on drinks and my food came out pretty fast. The ginger salad was bigger than expected and had just the right amount of ginger flavor. The crunchy crab roll and Rendevous were delicious. I liked this place and when I am back in town for work, I'll be back.
(4)
Terry D.
I eat here fairly regularly for lunch. Good food, a large selection of rolls. I stick with non-raw and they have a decent number of choices. Better sushi than anywhere else in the area. I have not tried anything else yet but soon....
(4)
P D.
By far the best sushi place ever!! I've been coming since the beginning and I have truly never been disappointed. I've brought many friends and my family from Toronto as well who have gotten hooked on the place!! I love their miso soup but their cucumber salad is amazing. My sushi buddy and I usually go and just order random rolls to try and we have yet to have ever been disappointed. The staff is very nice and helpful and I love that I can go in the evenings and get seated and served fast. Highly recommend for fresh delicious food, great variety and gotta love the happy hour menu too!! Run, don't walk to Makimoto !!
(5)
Meg H.
The sushi was delicious, and the service was excellcent. We ordered apps and salads loads of sushi...and she still brought us out complimentry samples of the miso soup soup, maybe just to show appreciation? Eitherway is was a great gesture.
(5)
Liz H.
I love this place, my boyfriend found it 4 years ago and anytime we want sushi we come here. The soup is great and the price is good for the high quality. I recommend this place to all of my friends.
(5)
Beth S.
Most amazing sushi! You cannot go wrong with the Mango moto roll or the spice mexican! eat here- you will NOT be disappointed!
(5)
Victoria M.
This place makes really good rolls. Always very fresh and melt in your mouth delicious. The spicy salmon are my favorite. Prices are good. The owners are really nice. As for atmosphere, good lunch location, never went for dinner.
(5)
Jean H.
This has become our favorite sushi restaurant. We've perused the menu and have some go-to favorites... The Pacific Snapper roll and the Cilantro Salsa roll are sooooo good. We get spicy tuna hand rolls; the tuna is in chunks with delicious spicy sauce. Love their miso soup-usually don't like it at all! For dessert, small balls of ice cream wrapped in an cream /rice paper. Get the mango if available.. It's unbelievable and a nice portion to share and round out the meal. A bit more expensive than some other places, but the rolls are far more creative and there are many more choices.
(4)
Dr.Ron F.
literally the best sushi in town, they have all sorts of exotic and traditional rolls. amazing quality.
(5)
Jeanae F.
I came here for the first time for lunch and it was really busy, I was able to sit at the "Bar Area" right in front of the Sushi Chef. The wait staff were very nice and attentive to my needs. I knew exactly what I wanted to order Tempura Shrimp Roll and Miso Soup. The Miso Soup was delicious, not as salty as most would be, but just right and very flavorful too. The wait for my Sushi Roll was about 10+ minutes, which is not too bad since there were others there before me and it was a busy lunch hour. The Sushi Chef prepared my roll and handed it to me, I was a bit shocked to see how small the pieces were and it wasn't the right Tempura Shrimp that I'm used to ordering from other Sushi places, I thought maybe I ordered the wrong sushi roll, it had Fried shrimp, Rice, and Edamame (Sushi Wrap). That was it!! I guess each restaurant is different when it comes to preparing rolls. I will come back because it was a great experience, however I will definitely ask questions and study the Menu next time so I'll know what I'm getting and not feel like I was cheated out of my money.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
I really really wanted to like this place! Interior is super clean, and I was very excited about the roll choices - to their credit, they're very experimental with rolls. Normally Yelp reviews are fairly reliable, so I took my boyfriend here pretty confident we'd have a good meal. The waitress was very nice, and we ordered two tamago pieces, the mango crunch, New York, and spicy tuna rolls. Typically our go-to place is Take Sushi, and three rolls and tamago are super filling. These were some of tiniest rolls I have ever seen in my entire life. None of the rolls were a uniform size and some of the pieces completely fell apart when I tried to pick them up. Not sure what kind of seaweed they used, but it was oddly chewy. I enjoyed the New York roll, but the jalapeno pieces were waaay too large in the spicy mango roll. Overall, we paid $21 for sushi (not including tip) and I felt like I had eaten an incredibly light snack. There was no soup or salad served prior, either. We had to go home and make something else to eat because these rolls were so small. Overall, a pretty disappointing experience.
(2)
Dan O.
Makimoto produces consistently great sushi at a reasonable price. Have tried maybe eight different types, all were phenomenal!
(5)
Linda N.
Outstanding sushi and service! Everything we have tried either dine in or carry out has been fresh and fantastic.
(5)
Jenni R.
I love this place. Great location, nice interior decor, and friendly, attentive staff. The menu is amazing. So many choices. Love, love, love their sushi! Not too expensive. Satisfied every time. A few of my favorites: The Makimoto roll, New York Apple roll, Volcano roll, Sweet Potato tempura roll. I've been here three times now -- all within about 10 days and can't wait to get back!
(5)
Devan Brie G.
Crunchy crab roll is awesome! As good as the best sushi I ever had which was from Tokyo Sushi in Toronto. Eda Mameis good too. Reasonable prices. So happy I found this place!
(5)
Lori O.
We eat here whenever we're craving sushi. There's an amazing collection of sushi restaurants in the area, but this is the best we've found. The service is fast, the beer is cold, and the sushi is excellent. Edamame can be hit or miss, but even a miss is pretty good. The crispy scallop roll and tempura sweet potato rolls are worth a try, as are the philly and the spicy tuna rolls. Excellent and fast for lunch, and terrific prices for the happy hour.
(4)
Crystal m.
The very best sushi I have had. And I've tried a LOT. Always fresh. Flavor is always amazing. Not too expensive, as sushi tends to be, and the staff is so friendly. I have never had a bad experience here and this will be my go-to as long as I am in driving distance
(5)
Heather K.
Everything I had here was absolutely fantastic. It was a bit pricey, but well worth it.
(4)
Yao X.
Considering there is no decent sushi place close by, I still would just give this place a 3 star. Miso soup is good, I agree, but their sushi rice is just off, they definitely didn't use good sushi rice.
(3)
Kelsey H.
Delicious. Built my own sushi with sweet potato tempura, cucumber, cream cheese, and avocado with trio sauce. I'm in love. Vegetarian approved!!
(5)
Matt S.
I moved to Ypsilanti a few months back, but while I still lived in Oakland Co. and commuted back and forth to Auburn Hills for school I'd try to stop in at Makimoto's once a week. I could never figure out why the restaurant was always 90% empty. I haven't been there in almost a year now (unfortunately) so I can't speak to the current quality level of the place, but while I was still going it was some of the best sushi in the county. They aren't as "traditional" as some places (read: Noble Fish), but don't let that scare you. The sushi is quality and tastes as such, and the normal Japanese fare on the menu (tonkatsu, yakitori, etc) is also extremely good. Prices are extremely reasonable, parking is easy and service was always prompt and friendly. I would recommend it to anyone in the area who wants some damn good fish and rice; it's head and shoulders above the seedy Tokyo Sushi up the road. PROS: Great food, great service, great restaurant. CONS: So consistently empty that it's a bit creepy to eat there sometimes. Not much the owners can do about that one other than just giving the food away, so no point deductions here. GO TO MAKIMOTO!
(5)
Cary A.
Meso soup was great, Ginger salad was great and the Spicy Tiger roll was just outstanding. They were very fast too as I was in there for lunch. I don't usually like giving 5 stars to anyone and It might be the only roll ive ever had there. But it was AWESOME.
(5)
Ken Z.
Had dinner here earlier this week. Had a ginger salad ($2 during happy hour) which was good size and tasty. Ginger dressing was a little more biting than I am used to. Also had an avocado roll - the avocado was buttery and delightful. Excellent. Had the bulgogi dinner ($15.95) which was sliced beef on a bed of onions. Came with a side of rice and steamed vegetables (carrots and broccoli). Good. Dining companion happy with his sushi. Server was extremely helpful and attentive. Will go back when in the neighborhood or on the way to the Palace.
(4)
Tiffany N.
This is one of two sushi places we go to in the area. Works out great if we are going to see a movie at Great Lakes Crossing afterwards because it is less than 10 minutes away. We enjoy the food every time! My favorite is the "Spicy Mexican" roll and I usually get one of the special rolls (smaller) which is a perfect amount for dinner for me.
(4)
Kris T.
Sushi is very good here. If I am ever back in the area I will be back in.
(4)
Peter K.
This place has mostly sushi and various Japanese entrees but they also serve bibimbap and may 1 or 2 other Korean dishes. I think the owners or at least some of the employee must be Korean. :) I got the bibimbap and it was pretty good. It came in a stone pot and was super hot. The portion size is monstrous. I also got the gyoza. It was a bit too fried for me but I guess I can't really expect much more. I work nearby so I think this will be my go to place for bibimbap when i don't want to drive to Troy.
(4)
Emily L.
I've been here twice - once for happy hour and then again for dinner. Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 3-6 pm. I had some spicy tuna rolls (they use chili paste instead of spicy mayo, which makes it spicier and therefore tastier), edamame, cucumber salad (too sweet), miso soup (decent), and a bottle of Sapporo ($3). We also ordered stuff off the regular menu. I liked the tango roll (tuna, mango) and sweet ginger roll (sweet potato tempura and asparagus, topped with avocado and ginger dressing) in particular. Yum! Most of the happy hour rolls were spicy this or spicy that - not that much variation - although I must admit they offer more types of rolls than your typical happy hour. As for alcohol, all of the beer is bottled (I think they offered Sapporo, Asahi, and... Coors Lite?). Not sure what kind of wine and sake they had. When I went for dinner, we ordered a selection of rolls, and it quickly exceeded $50 for two people even though we didn't order that much. I'm not sure why the price range is listed as one "$" only (maybe for their lunch specials? which I've never had). On the plus side, if you order a certain number of rolls or a certain price (I think it's two rolls or $10, I forget), they will give you a free cucumber salad (although, as previously mentioned, I find it to be too sweet) and miso soup. I also ordered some red bean ice cream for dessert, but it tasted like freezer burned strawberry ice cream. I feel really bad giving Makimoto only two stars rather than three, especially since I loved the tango roll and sweet ginger roll, but the restaurant's SMELL is a really big problem for me. Right when you walk in the door, you get hit by a sickeningly stale stench (why yes, I do enjoy alliteration) of tempura and frying oil. The odor then quickly works its way into your clothes and hair and does not come out easily (after airing a jacket out for a couple days, the smell became fainter but was still noticeable). I don't know if the kitchen lacks a fan or what, but they really need to improve their ventilation system. I'm fine with never eating a sweet ginger roll ever again because I would rather not smell disgusting. Plus, Noble Fish is tastier, cheaper, and closer to my house.
(2)
paul j.
I love this food. Not a fan of sushi but the grill is amazing. Have Bibim-Bop, maybe the best beef bowl in the area. Love the place.
(5)
Chris W.
I have lunch here quite often. After eating here today, I feel they've earned a review. Excellent sushi, fast/friendly service, and reasonable prices make this a winner for me. I have now hooked a number of my work mates on this place. Most of us are addicted to the spicy mexican roll which is tempura shrimp with avacado, spicy mayo and a nice drop of siracha on the top of each piece. Another regular order of mine is the bulgogi bowl. I always ask for mine to be spicy. The result can range from a side of siracha (not so great) to the meat actually sauteed in some spicy concoction (Outstanding) Parking at lunch is an issue here as: 1. the lot is kind of small generally and 2. it shares a strip mall with a popular coney place.
(4)
Aaron H.
This is the coolest, best priced, highest quality sushi bar near Oakland University and the Auburn Hills area... Their tempura batter is amazing .. Everyone who works here is kind and knows their sushi! Only problem (although common with most sushi bars) is that you smell like sushi.
(4)
R.g. C.
Love this place. When I want great sushi at a great price I think of this place
(5)
Kira M.
So for an early dinner on a Monday it was not bad. Clean and tidy establishment, if not a little boring decor. The service was of adequate speed but I thought I heard a slightly snotty undertone. Might of been my perception. The food we ordered came out quickly. The miso broth was good but hardly any tofu and if I'm not mistaken, there is supposed to be seaweed in it. The cucumber salad tasted like sweet pickle relish...I mean seriously sweet.The sushi came out and I was pleased that it was room temperature like sushi is traditionally served. Much better flavors that way. It was all very good but the sauce on the eel roll was much sweeter than I'm used to. Didn't stop me from eating all of my share though. The Raider was a nice specialty roll, just a little too much sauce. I'm really torn between 2 and 3 stars. I think I'd try another sushi place before I visited Makimoto again.
(3)
Krupa U.
I am a sushi fiend to say the least, and i just quenched my desire for it at this fabulous new place, which I would have easily missed in the Auburn Crossing Plaza that has many other ethnic restaurants, if it wasn't for my friend (Ashlee R.) who talked up Makimoto to me. (whew, now there's a run on sentence!) We went there for a late lunch around 2, and the establishment was very tranquil, and the staff was very welcoming, polite and attentive, although it was a slow hour, so who knows what they are like around lunch/dinner rush hours. Their menu isn't over the top like Tokyo Sushi where there are infinity-and-beyond choices, but they've perfectly shaved off all the "filler" rolls and retained the ones that would be most appealing, popular, and still unique. I ordered my ever favorite Eel Avacado ($4.25) and Spicy Salmon Roll ($4.50), I also added Masago for just $0.50 per roll. The Eel Avacado was delightful, and the Spicy sauce they add in the Spicy Salmon Roll was actually spicy! I could see real chili paste in there! YUM! My friend got the Sunday Morning Roll (Salmon and cream cheese tempura), Spicy Tuna Roll, California Roll, Cucumber Roll, and an Octopus Nigiri. I like that their Spicy Tuna and Spicy Salmon isn't ground up and mixed with the spicy sauce like at some other sushi joints, it's a whole chunk smothered in sauce. Also an unexpected surprise was complimentary ginger salad and miso soup! The miso soup was a little too much on the salty side, but hey, it was complimentary! I have high standards for sushi and this was extremely good sushi for the price! They don't skimp out on the portions of meat either. Next time, I'm going to try some of their specialty rolls like the Catapilla and Dragon Roll. Can't wait to go here again since it's literally right down the street from Oakland University, which is where I'm at 75% of the time!
(4)
Jared B.
Good quality, decent price, rolls are on the smaller size compared to others.
(3)
A.K. A.
I went to Makimoto for sushi once a little while ago. I usually go to Tokyo Sushi, but for some reason that place was closed for a few weeks. To be honest, Tokyo Sushi isn't the best either, in general it is tough to find great sushi in Michigan, but I like it enough to keep going back. Can't say the same for Makimoto. Let me say that I have been to Japan and I have tried the best sushi in the world at the fish market in Tokyo. Nothing in Michigan is going to compare to that, so I'm not holding sushi here to a very high standard in general. Whenever I go to a new sushi restaurant, the two rolls I try first are spicy tuna and a tempura roll. Both disappointed at Makimoto. The spicy tuna was a whole piece of tuna, which is fine if the quality of the fish is great, but it wasn't. And I can't say I was a fan of using chili paste instead of the traditional spicy mayo. Tokyo Sushi's ground up tuna with the mayo tastes much better to me. The tempura wasn't very good either, the batter they used for the roll came out yellow with a weird aftertaste. Pretty different from the crispy golden hue you expect out of tempura rolls. And not in a good way. I'll also say that while it is true that they don't skimp on meat, that isn't necessarilly a good thing. I like rolls that are proportioned well, so all parts of a sushi roll can be tasted. The fish in these rolls overpowers the saltiness of the seaweed and the texture of the rice. I haven't gone back since, so can't say I have tried any other rolls. Maybe this isn't a fair judgment, but if I don't like the basic rolls, I'm not going to go back to try other items. Tokyo Sushi is better and now that is open again, is where I go.
(2)
Justin H.
This is my favorite sushi place. Affordable, friendly, quality, clean, great variety, creative ideas and as of a couple months ago, they now have beer, wine and saki! I was just at Cafe Sushi a day ago for a work lunch and the whole time I wished I was at Makimoto. And that says a ton because cafe sushi is damn good. It's just that Makimoto has it beat in every category! When friends/business contacts ask for sushi recc's, I always send them here.
(5)
Andrea D.
Discovered this place during a trip to the swim shop next door. Glad we did. Friendly banter at the sushi bar. Good rolls.
(4)
George K.
Atmosphere and sushi outstanding. My wife and I have been going for over two years, every week. The owners are very hospital and their son, Andy, is the head chef. I have never been disappointed. Enjoy!!
(5)
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Address :2741 University Dr
Auburn Hills, MI, 48326
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Victoria M.
Never have I eaten inside, instead I always do carry out. Always friendly on the phone and I when I come in to pick up food. I usually get the Philadelphia Roll and Sunday Morning roll and if I am feeling it, the Miso Soup. Very good! Not crazy pricey and very good. I used to go to Tokyo Sushi across from OU and wow Makimoto is SO much better! The sushi tastes much fresher than Tokyo Sushi. Miso soup is pretty good as well but the sushi is what keeps me going back.
(4)Matt H.
I've been to several sushi places in the northwest suburbs and this is still by far the best. I get carry out every week or two, as it's just off I-75 on my way home from work. A few weeks back I ordered my usual spicy rolls and added a random AAC for my wife...which they charged but forgot to include. She was bummed but they were happy to add it onto my next order for free. I've been here dozens of times and that was the first and only time that has happened, and they handled it well. I typically order a spicy white tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, and then either spicy cali roll or spicy shrimp roll. The rolls are put together well and always taste fresh. What really sets them apart is that even their fairly basic rolls have some veggies mixed in. So many other places I've tried have two options: big deluxe rolls that fall apart, or small basic rolls that have little or no vegetables. I really like that most Makimoto rolls are somewhere in between...a happy medium that fits into one bite.
(5)Lori C.
Excellent service and excellent food. Maybe this restaurant should show other resturants how it's done, because they got it right!
(5)Joe T.
This was my first time eating at Makimoto. It's around the corner from my office and thought I'd check it out. I wasn't expecting much considering it's in the middle of a small strip mall, but from the minute I walked in, I was impressed. Aesthetically appealing and much larger than I had anticipated including seating at a decent sized sushi bar. I was one of the first to arrive but the place started to fill-in with the lunch crowd from the local office buildings. Didn't order sushi this time since the Chicken Katsu Rice Bowl caught my eye. Good portion size and it came with miso soup and cucumber salad. Some of the best chicken katsu I've had. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Natasha P.
Just had a super quick lunch here with the hubby, who slipped out between two meetings. We ordered the bulgogi bowl and a sushi combo of the Alaskan roll, a California roll and a cucumber roll; both lunch specials. It came with a cucumber salad and a miso soup each an so ended up being a lot of food. The miso soup was very nice, and a little salty, which I really liked. The cucumber salad was a little on the sweeter side (like several other reviews mentioned) but I thought it was delicious. I really liked it that way. The sushi was great, well made and had very fresh tasting fish. The next time we're gonna have to try some different rolls. The beef bulgogi was so-so; not fabulous but tasty and a fairly large bowlful. All in all, this is a great place for a quick work lunch. Ideally, this would be 3 1/2 stars, but I've rounded up to 4.
(4)Rebecca B.
Went with a few others who had various pieces of sushi. Also had my usual (miso soup, ginger salad, and avocado roll). I felt that it was very fresh. The salad dressing was a little different than the ginger dressing I've had in the past. Perhaps it was made with sesame oil? Anyway, it was tasty. The miso soup was also quite good. The wasabi wasn't overly hot, but I can get over it. The only icky thing was the ambience. It reminded me of an empty cafeteria. I think it is probably better for lunch...
(4)Mee C.
Great place to eat at. Im usually really picky when it comes to sushi and this place has pretty good sushi. Like that they also have some korean food there too. Would definitely go back. Service is great here as well.
(5)Elizabeth K.
First time here, and my boyfriend and I were intrigued by the mango offered on several rolls. I enjoyed the mango, but he did not. We both very much enjoyed the Red Tiger and East rolls, and the Shrimp California tasted about the same as other places. It tasted very fresh, and I loved the taste of the tuna in the rolls. Pricing was average, $32 for five rolls (Red Tiger, East, Shrimp California, Tango, and Mango Crunch), a little cheaper than nearby areas. I suggest the location, and I enjoyed the sushi!
(4)Alex K.
Muh gurlfran and I got take out from Makimoto yesterday when we decided we needed sushi in our bellies. I notice a few people going off on the service in some reviews, so maybe it's a good thing we decided to get take out. By the way, at 7pm on a Saturday night, they were really quiet inside... bad sign? I wasn't worried. #YELPERFAITH We wound up ordering the Red Dragon roll, White Dragon roll, pork dumpling things, and a couple orders of Miso soup. I feel that's probably a good thing to mention. The Red Dragon roll was m'favorite thing, I'd say. The Red Dragon has spicy tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, sriracha, spicy mayo, and a crunchy topping. Yeah, it sounds like it'd be really spicy, but it's not. There's a little bit of heat, but it mostly just has a really nice flavor. The pork dumplings were about $6 or something along those lines, and came with just six or eight dumplings. I thought they were really good, but you should get a bit more for the price... but what should I have expected from a sushi place? The Miso soup I got because I haven't ever had Miso soup before -- it turned out to be well worth getting: mild, simple, cheap, and maybe most importantly, not too salty. I liked it, even though it smelled a lot like a farmhouse or something like that. The one thing neither I or muh gurlfran really cared for was the White Dragon roll. There's nothing inherently wrong with it or anything, but it's kind of bland. Still, it sort of serves its purpose as a "palette cleanser" sushi after rolls like the Red Dragon. I wouldn't order it again, but I also wouldn't turn it down. The total bill was about $35, which is probably about standard for the amount of food we got... it probably didn't help that we chose two of the most expensive sushi rolls on the menu, but it was well presented (even for being a take out order), the fish was fresh, and the food as a whole was enjoyable.
(4)Alyssa H.
Reasonable for sushi and quick service. Perfect for a business traveler looking for a quick dinner that isn't the local sandwich shop. Drink prices were slightly high compared to the sushi, but overall a good value. Would definitely return when I am in Auburn Hills.
(4)Jeff P.
Got their Sashimi.. Ordered Tuna, Salmon, Red Snapper, Shrimp, Eel, Avocado,.. just two pieces each.. Also got their spicy tuna roll (6pcs). It was delicious. Also ordered the salad and it was pretty good. So overall positive experience and delicious food with great service. I'm def going back
(4)Saphire J.
The food here is okay. I ate the sunday morning roll. I find this place to be a tad on the pricer side, but it's okay. The owners kind of gave a cold vibe. I did not feel that the atmosphere was warm and fuzzy. I think I would rather just get takeout next time. Other than that, I don't have much to say. It's an okay place.
(3)Alissa H.
Yelpers, you have led me astray. This was an overall no bueno experience both for food and service. My coworker lunch buddy has celiac disease so we're always on the look out for good gluten-free friendly places and she, like a champ, agrees to try anywhere which often leads to hilarity (case in point: TGI Friday telling her that everything on their menu has gluten, even the lettuce). Alas, Makimoto is the antithesis of gluten-free friendly (or even friendly in general). At the outset, we asked what they had on their menu that was GF. The waitress looked at my coworker, wide eyed, and said "Do you have the thing?" We didn't know what that meant so we stared back. After a couple uncomfortable seconds of the death stare, my coworker asked what she was talking about. The waitress said "You know, the thing, with the allergy." Yes, yes, she has "the thing." So, at this point, we clearly feel like we're in good hands. But, oh noes! Even though our waitress knew about "the thing," there is next to nothing to eat here for people in this sordid, shock-inducing category. Our waitress could only recommend one thing that she had previously confirmed with the chef was GF: the fried tofu. Which she brought out with a soy sauce-based dipping sauce. When we asked what was in it she said "lemon..... and ginger....." Since they do have GF soy sauce here, we wondered if that's what was used since she knew about the allergy. Nope! And she didn't know if they could make it GF because it's not made in-house, but she'll check. 10-15 minutes later and.... crickets. She came back with a pitcher of water and we asked what the chef said about the sauce. Looking shocked that we even had to ask, she said "Nope, not GF." So.... next logical question.... can it be made GF? "Oh, nope." Maybe tell us this before the fried tofu got cold and soggy? She didn't offer any other sauce alternatives for the flavorless fried tofu and white rice before flitting away. We made our own GF dipping sauce of out the ginger with my sushi and the GF soy sauce on the table. Better than nothing, which was the only option presented by the establishment. My sushi was meh. The rolls were cut unevenly and didn't stay together when picked up with chopsticks which was not user error because, toot-toot (that's my own horn), I am awesome with chopsticks. The flavor of the spicy yellowtail roll was decent, but not spicy. The other two rolls I had were unmemorable. Overall, both a comical and uncomfortable lunch experience with food that wouldn't have brought me back even if the service wasn't keeping me away.
(1)Morgan A.
Very good sushi. The ambience is a little dull. Perfect place for lunch, wouldn't go on date night here.
(4)Bill D.
Great sushi considering we are in Michigan! Fresh fish, tasty toppings, and the seaweed wrappers were not chewy. Price was decent and could be called cheap in some cities. Nice friendly staff, nice interior seating comfy. And they accept all the popular Credit Cards including AMEX of which many asian places won't take!
(5)Meg B.
I came here with a very large group. Our waitress informed us that she was the only one on staff. I was prepared for it to be a long night, but we actually got our food in a decent amount of time. I was happy with our service and my food choice. It seemed that everyone else I was with felt the same.
(4)Lauren C.
Makimoto is my "going home" sushi spot. The big apple and alaskan rolls are my favorite. I wouldn't say it's the best sushi I've ever had, but it's definitely one that I can be consistently satisfied with. The prices are fair, not great, but not horrible. Their lunch menu is their best deal and don't be deceived by the happy hour menu online - they do not have an happy hour. The waiters and sushi bar staff are especially nice. They are always very friendly when I make an order. Again, I would highly recommend them. I haven't found another good place in the area.
(4)Saeed D.
Fresh fish, and really good presentation with a reasonable price. I'll definitely will go there again. The atmosphere is not fancy, so i don't recommend it for a first date. But if you like sushi, here is where you should hangout ;)
(5)Robert R.
The best sushi in Detroit metro served in an obscure- out of the way - corner of Auburn hills. Each bite is like flavor explosion served in a friendly welcoming environment.
(5)Matthew S.
Man I love this place. Fresh fish, warm fresh rice, friendly atmosphere, plenty of seating, crafty chefs.. All in all delicious. I usually come here during my lunch break for work and it's the perfect spot. If you want a lite meal you can have one roll or a few pieces of nigiri. This restaurant cares about its quality and its customers, guarantee.
(5)Craig L.
There's a good motto I like to live by: "Sushi is good. Cheap is good. Cheap sushi is not good." Fear not my fellow seaweed wrapped fish munchers, Makimoto passed the test! It not only is of typical sushi price, it was extremely good! The spicy tuna roll was out of this world, and this says something as I am a connoisseur of spicy tuna rolls (see nonexistent credentials). Instead of just having some spicy mayo squirted on top, the tuna looked and tasted as if it had been marinated in spicy goodness. Nomnomnomnom! I also ordered the "Yum Yum roll". Guess what where the first two words out of my mouth after I finished chewing. You guessed it, Yum Yum indeed. Not only did I leave full bellied and satisfied, I left happy. I was happy to pay my bill. I was happy as I waved goodbye. I was so happy, that I came back two more times! Sadly, the final time I left unhappy. Unhappy because I knew I wouldn't be back in Auburn Hills for the foreseeable future, and this means I wont see Makimoto again for some time. Good job Makimoto, you made one sushi crazed man very happy.
(5)Gerold S.
Great Japanese Sushi food and a lot of other delicious warm entrees. I m so happy that I found this place. Since my first visit I became a regular guest here. At least one time a week I try their especially high quality food. It s not pricy here but you get food that seems to be a lot more pricy ;-) The service is always nice and friendly. No waiter pushes you to be in a hurry or is forcing you to senseless smalltalk. The guys behind the Sushi bar are always observant and gracious. Never had the chance but Happy Hour is Mo-Fr 3-6. If you like Sushi in all variants that s the place to go!
(5)Wontongirl C.
Service was great. I ate at the sushi bar and was offered refills on drinks and my food came out pretty fast. The ginger salad was bigger than expected and had just the right amount of ginger flavor. The crunchy crab roll and Rendevous were delicious. I liked this place and when I am back in town for work, I'll be back.
(4)Terry D.
I eat here fairly regularly for lunch. Good food, a large selection of rolls. I stick with non-raw and they have a decent number of choices. Better sushi than anywhere else in the area. I have not tried anything else yet but soon....
(4)P D.
By far the best sushi place ever!! I've been coming since the beginning and I have truly never been disappointed. I've brought many friends and my family from Toronto as well who have gotten hooked on the place!! I love their miso soup but their cucumber salad is amazing. My sushi buddy and I usually go and just order random rolls to try and we have yet to have ever been disappointed. The staff is very nice and helpful and I love that I can go in the evenings and get seated and served fast. Highly recommend for fresh delicious food, great variety and gotta love the happy hour menu too!! Run, don't walk to Makimoto !!
(5)Meg H.
The sushi was delicious, and the service was excellcent. We ordered apps and salads loads of sushi...and she still brought us out complimentry samples of the miso soup soup, maybe just to show appreciation? Eitherway is was a great gesture.
(5)Liz H.
I love this place, my boyfriend found it 4 years ago and anytime we want sushi we come here. The soup is great and the price is good for the high quality. I recommend this place to all of my friends.
(5)Beth S.
Most amazing sushi! You cannot go wrong with the Mango moto roll or the spice mexican! eat here- you will NOT be disappointed!
(5)Victoria M.
This place makes really good rolls. Always very fresh and melt in your mouth delicious. The spicy salmon are my favorite. Prices are good. The owners are really nice. As for atmosphere, good lunch location, never went for dinner.
(5)Jean H.
This has become our favorite sushi restaurant. We've perused the menu and have some go-to favorites... The Pacific Snapper roll and the Cilantro Salsa roll are sooooo good. We get spicy tuna hand rolls; the tuna is in chunks with delicious spicy sauce. Love their miso soup-usually don't like it at all! For dessert, small balls of ice cream wrapped in an cream /rice paper. Get the mango if available.. It's unbelievable and a nice portion to share and round out the meal. A bit more expensive than some other places, but the rolls are far more creative and there are many more choices.
(4)Dr.Ron F.
literally the best sushi in town, they have all sorts of exotic and traditional rolls. amazing quality.
(5)Jeanae F.
I came here for the first time for lunch and it was really busy, I was able to sit at the "Bar Area" right in front of the Sushi Chef. The wait staff were very nice and attentive to my needs. I knew exactly what I wanted to order Tempura Shrimp Roll and Miso Soup. The Miso Soup was delicious, not as salty as most would be, but just right and very flavorful too. The wait for my Sushi Roll was about 10+ minutes, which is not too bad since there were others there before me and it was a busy lunch hour. The Sushi Chef prepared my roll and handed it to me, I was a bit shocked to see how small the pieces were and it wasn't the right Tempura Shrimp that I'm used to ordering from other Sushi places, I thought maybe I ordered the wrong sushi roll, it had Fried shrimp, Rice, and Edamame (Sushi Wrap). That was it!! I guess each restaurant is different when it comes to preparing rolls. I will come back because it was a great experience, however I will definitely ask questions and study the Menu next time so I'll know what I'm getting and not feel like I was cheated out of my money.
(4)Elizabeth S.
I really really wanted to like this place! Interior is super clean, and I was very excited about the roll choices - to their credit, they're very experimental with rolls. Normally Yelp reviews are fairly reliable, so I took my boyfriend here pretty confident we'd have a good meal. The waitress was very nice, and we ordered two tamago pieces, the mango crunch, New York, and spicy tuna rolls. Typically our go-to place is Take Sushi, and three rolls and tamago are super filling. These were some of tiniest rolls I have ever seen in my entire life. None of the rolls were a uniform size and some of the pieces completely fell apart when I tried to pick them up. Not sure what kind of seaweed they used, but it was oddly chewy. I enjoyed the New York roll, but the jalapeno pieces were waaay too large in the spicy mango roll. Overall, we paid $21 for sushi (not including tip) and I felt like I had eaten an incredibly light snack. There was no soup or salad served prior, either. We had to go home and make something else to eat because these rolls were so small. Overall, a pretty disappointing experience.
(2)Dan O.
Makimoto produces consistently great sushi at a reasonable price. Have tried maybe eight different types, all were phenomenal!
(5)Linda N.
Outstanding sushi and service! Everything we have tried either dine in or carry out has been fresh and fantastic.
(5)Jenni R.
I love this place. Great location, nice interior decor, and friendly, attentive staff. The menu is amazing. So many choices. Love, love, love their sushi! Not too expensive. Satisfied every time. A few of my favorites: The Makimoto roll, New York Apple roll, Volcano roll, Sweet Potato tempura roll. I've been here three times now -- all within about 10 days and can't wait to get back!
(5)Devan Brie G.
Crunchy crab roll is awesome! As good as the best sushi I ever had which was from Tokyo Sushi in Toronto. Eda Mameis good too. Reasonable prices. So happy I found this place!
(5)Lori O.
We eat here whenever we're craving sushi. There's an amazing collection of sushi restaurants in the area, but this is the best we've found. The service is fast, the beer is cold, and the sushi is excellent. Edamame can be hit or miss, but even a miss is pretty good. The crispy scallop roll and tempura sweet potato rolls are worth a try, as are the philly and the spicy tuna rolls. Excellent and fast for lunch, and terrific prices for the happy hour.
(4)Crystal m.
The very best sushi I have had. And I've tried a LOT. Always fresh. Flavor is always amazing. Not too expensive, as sushi tends to be, and the staff is so friendly. I have never had a bad experience here and this will be my go-to as long as I am in driving distance
(5)Heather K.
Everything I had here was absolutely fantastic. It was a bit pricey, but well worth it.
(4)Yao X.
Considering there is no decent sushi place close by, I still would just give this place a 3 star. Miso soup is good, I agree, but their sushi rice is just off, they definitely didn't use good sushi rice.
(3)Kelsey H.
Delicious. Built my own sushi with sweet potato tempura, cucumber, cream cheese, and avocado with trio sauce. I'm in love. Vegetarian approved!!
(5)Matt S.
I moved to Ypsilanti a few months back, but while I still lived in Oakland Co. and commuted back and forth to Auburn Hills for school I'd try to stop in at Makimoto's once a week. I could never figure out why the restaurant was always 90% empty. I haven't been there in almost a year now (unfortunately) so I can't speak to the current quality level of the place, but while I was still going it was some of the best sushi in the county. They aren't as "traditional" as some places (read: Noble Fish), but don't let that scare you. The sushi is quality and tastes as such, and the normal Japanese fare on the menu (tonkatsu, yakitori, etc) is also extremely good. Prices are extremely reasonable, parking is easy and service was always prompt and friendly. I would recommend it to anyone in the area who wants some damn good fish and rice; it's head and shoulders above the seedy Tokyo Sushi up the road. PROS: Great food, great service, great restaurant. CONS: So consistently empty that it's a bit creepy to eat there sometimes. Not much the owners can do about that one other than just giving the food away, so no point deductions here. GO TO MAKIMOTO!
(5)Cary A.
Meso soup was great, Ginger salad was great and the Spicy Tiger roll was just outstanding. They were very fast too as I was in there for lunch. I don't usually like giving 5 stars to anyone and It might be the only roll ive ever had there. But it was AWESOME.
(5)Ken Z.
Had dinner here earlier this week. Had a ginger salad ($2 during happy hour) which was good size and tasty. Ginger dressing was a little more biting than I am used to. Also had an avocado roll - the avocado was buttery and delightful. Excellent. Had the bulgogi dinner ($15.95) which was sliced beef on a bed of onions. Came with a side of rice and steamed vegetables (carrots and broccoli). Good. Dining companion happy with his sushi. Server was extremely helpful and attentive. Will go back when in the neighborhood or on the way to the Palace.
(4)Tiffany N.
This is one of two sushi places we go to in the area. Works out great if we are going to see a movie at Great Lakes Crossing afterwards because it is less than 10 minutes away. We enjoy the food every time! My favorite is the "Spicy Mexican" roll and I usually get one of the special rolls (smaller) which is a perfect amount for dinner for me.
(4)Kris T.
Sushi is very good here. If I am ever back in the area I will be back in.
(4)Peter K.
This place has mostly sushi and various Japanese entrees but they also serve bibimbap and may 1 or 2 other Korean dishes. I think the owners or at least some of the employee must be Korean. :) I got the bibimbap and it was pretty good. It came in a stone pot and was super hot. The portion size is monstrous. I also got the gyoza. It was a bit too fried for me but I guess I can't really expect much more. I work nearby so I think this will be my go to place for bibimbap when i don't want to drive to Troy.
(4)Emily L.
I've been here twice - once for happy hour and then again for dinner. Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 3-6 pm. I had some spicy tuna rolls (they use chili paste instead of spicy mayo, which makes it spicier and therefore tastier), edamame, cucumber salad (too sweet), miso soup (decent), and a bottle of Sapporo ($3). We also ordered stuff off the regular menu. I liked the tango roll (tuna, mango) and sweet ginger roll (sweet potato tempura and asparagus, topped with avocado and ginger dressing) in particular. Yum! Most of the happy hour rolls were spicy this or spicy that - not that much variation - although I must admit they offer more types of rolls than your typical happy hour. As for alcohol, all of the beer is bottled (I think they offered Sapporo, Asahi, and... Coors Lite?). Not sure what kind of wine and sake they had. When I went for dinner, we ordered a selection of rolls, and it quickly exceeded $50 for two people even though we didn't order that much. I'm not sure why the price range is listed as one "$" only (maybe for their lunch specials? which I've never had). On the plus side, if you order a certain number of rolls or a certain price (I think it's two rolls or $10, I forget), they will give you a free cucumber salad (although, as previously mentioned, I find it to be too sweet) and miso soup. I also ordered some red bean ice cream for dessert, but it tasted like freezer burned strawberry ice cream. I feel really bad giving Makimoto only two stars rather than three, especially since I loved the tango roll and sweet ginger roll, but the restaurant's SMELL is a really big problem for me. Right when you walk in the door, you get hit by a sickeningly stale stench (why yes, I do enjoy alliteration) of tempura and frying oil. The odor then quickly works its way into your clothes and hair and does not come out easily (after airing a jacket out for a couple days, the smell became fainter but was still noticeable). I don't know if the kitchen lacks a fan or what, but they really need to improve their ventilation system. I'm fine with never eating a sweet ginger roll ever again because I would rather not smell disgusting. Plus, Noble Fish is tastier, cheaper, and closer to my house.
(2)paul j.
I love this food. Not a fan of sushi but the grill is amazing. Have Bibim-Bop, maybe the best beef bowl in the area. Love the place.
(5)Chris W.
I have lunch here quite often. After eating here today, I feel they've earned a review. Excellent sushi, fast/friendly service, and reasonable prices make this a winner for me. I have now hooked a number of my work mates on this place. Most of us are addicted to the spicy mexican roll which is tempura shrimp with avacado, spicy mayo and a nice drop of siracha on the top of each piece. Another regular order of mine is the bulgogi bowl. I always ask for mine to be spicy. The result can range from a side of siracha (not so great) to the meat actually sauteed in some spicy concoction (Outstanding) Parking at lunch is an issue here as: 1. the lot is kind of small generally and 2. it shares a strip mall with a popular coney place.
(4)Aaron H.
This is the coolest, best priced, highest quality sushi bar near Oakland University and the Auburn Hills area... Their tempura batter is amazing .. Everyone who works here is kind and knows their sushi! Only problem (although common with most sushi bars) is that you smell like sushi.
(4)R.g. C.
Love this place. When I want great sushi at a great price I think of this place
(5)Kira M.
So for an early dinner on a Monday it was not bad. Clean and tidy establishment, if not a little boring decor. The service was of adequate speed but I thought I heard a slightly snotty undertone. Might of been my perception. The food we ordered came out quickly. The miso broth was good but hardly any tofu and if I'm not mistaken, there is supposed to be seaweed in it. The cucumber salad tasted like sweet pickle relish...I mean seriously sweet.The sushi came out and I was pleased that it was room temperature like sushi is traditionally served. Much better flavors that way. It was all very good but the sauce on the eel roll was much sweeter than I'm used to. Didn't stop me from eating all of my share though. The Raider was a nice specialty roll, just a little too much sauce. I'm really torn between 2 and 3 stars. I think I'd try another sushi place before I visited Makimoto again.
(3)Krupa U.
I am a sushi fiend to say the least, and i just quenched my desire for it at this fabulous new place, which I would have easily missed in the Auburn Crossing Plaza that has many other ethnic restaurants, if it wasn't for my friend (Ashlee R.) who talked up Makimoto to me. (whew, now there's a run on sentence!) We went there for a late lunch around 2, and the establishment was very tranquil, and the staff was very welcoming, polite and attentive, although it was a slow hour, so who knows what they are like around lunch/dinner rush hours. Their menu isn't over the top like Tokyo Sushi where there are infinity-and-beyond choices, but they've perfectly shaved off all the "filler" rolls and retained the ones that would be most appealing, popular, and still unique. I ordered my ever favorite Eel Avacado ($4.25) and Spicy Salmon Roll ($4.50), I also added Masago for just $0.50 per roll. The Eel Avacado was delightful, and the Spicy sauce they add in the Spicy Salmon Roll was actually spicy! I could see real chili paste in there! YUM! My friend got the Sunday Morning Roll (Salmon and cream cheese tempura), Spicy Tuna Roll, California Roll, Cucumber Roll, and an Octopus Nigiri. I like that their Spicy Tuna and Spicy Salmon isn't ground up and mixed with the spicy sauce like at some other sushi joints, it's a whole chunk smothered in sauce. Also an unexpected surprise was complimentary ginger salad and miso soup! The miso soup was a little too much on the salty side, but hey, it was complimentary! I have high standards for sushi and this was extremely good sushi for the price! They don't skimp out on the portions of meat either. Next time, I'm going to try some of their specialty rolls like the Catapilla and Dragon Roll. Can't wait to go here again since it's literally right down the street from Oakland University, which is where I'm at 75% of the time!
(4)Jared B.
Good quality, decent price, rolls are on the smaller size compared to others.
(3)A.K. A.
I went to Makimoto for sushi once a little while ago. I usually go to Tokyo Sushi, but for some reason that place was closed for a few weeks. To be honest, Tokyo Sushi isn't the best either, in general it is tough to find great sushi in Michigan, but I like it enough to keep going back. Can't say the same for Makimoto. Let me say that I have been to Japan and I have tried the best sushi in the world at the fish market in Tokyo. Nothing in Michigan is going to compare to that, so I'm not holding sushi here to a very high standard in general. Whenever I go to a new sushi restaurant, the two rolls I try first are spicy tuna and a tempura roll. Both disappointed at Makimoto. The spicy tuna was a whole piece of tuna, which is fine if the quality of the fish is great, but it wasn't. And I can't say I was a fan of using chili paste instead of the traditional spicy mayo. Tokyo Sushi's ground up tuna with the mayo tastes much better to me. The tempura wasn't very good either, the batter they used for the roll came out yellow with a weird aftertaste. Pretty different from the crispy golden hue you expect out of tempura rolls. And not in a good way. I'll also say that while it is true that they don't skimp on meat, that isn't necessarilly a good thing. I like rolls that are proportioned well, so all parts of a sushi roll can be tasted. The fish in these rolls overpowers the saltiness of the seaweed and the texture of the rice. I haven't gone back since, so can't say I have tried any other rolls. Maybe this isn't a fair judgment, but if I don't like the basic rolls, I'm not going to go back to try other items. Tokyo Sushi is better and now that is open again, is where I go.
(2)Justin H.
This is my favorite sushi place. Affordable, friendly, quality, clean, great variety, creative ideas and as of a couple months ago, they now have beer, wine and saki! I was just at Cafe Sushi a day ago for a work lunch and the whole time I wished I was at Makimoto. And that says a ton because cafe sushi is damn good. It's just that Makimoto has it beat in every category! When friends/business contacts ask for sushi recc's, I always send them here.
(5)Andrea D.
Discovered this place during a trip to the swim shop next door. Glad we did. Friendly banter at the sushi bar. Good rolls.
(4)George K.
Atmosphere and sushi outstanding. My wife and I have been going for over two years, every week. The owners are very hospital and their son, Andy, is the head chef. I have never been disappointed. Enjoy!!
(5)