Sushi was good, but not fabulous. Prices are pretty reasonable and they have an interesting happy hour that includes several good rolls. While I enjoyed Jotos, I probably wouldn't be back. There must be better sushi in Tampa.
(3)
Robin T.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. We only ordered off the Thai menu, so I can't speak for the sushi, but the Thai food was fantastic! Ambiance was great, too! It has a very romantic and serene atmosphere, which is not at all what I was expecting since it is located in a dumpy little strip mall. Tom yum soup - The tom yum soup was a little different than what I'm used to - much more STUFF in it than normal, like green onions, chili flakes, etc. Very flavorful and tasty broth. Massaman curry - OMG delish. Perfect. Drunken noodles - My favorite Thai dish. It was great! Beef was a little chewy, but the noodles and veggies were great. I asked for hot and it was pretty hot. Some Thai places like to tone down the spiciness but their hot is truly hot, and I imagine their Thai spicy is actually Thai spicy. Got the Massaman curry at medium spiciness and it was significantly less spicy than the regular hot spiciness. My only complaints are that it's a tad pricier than some other Thai places and they don't have mango sticky rice (my fav Asian dessert)!
(4)
Cari E.
I can't be certain, but I think that Joto's was the first Sushi restaurant I ate at in Tampa (My first Sushi experience was in New Orleans). It was a staple in my rotation in high school for sure. Unfortunately, they seem to be going through a little bit of an identity crisis right now. I'm guessing they are trying to be more like the Soho Sushi's of the world; trendy, hip, cool. That's just not them. They are a neighborhood institution who has been around for at least 10 years. That's says something about their quality. They are a good, solid sushi joint. Will you feel cool eating here? If your atmosphere decides your hipness, then probably not. Will you leave satisfied with a belly full of good sushi? Yup.
(4)
Paul W.
My family has been going to Joto for about 15 years. We always get a huge boat of sushi. It is very consistent. The service is always very good and the sushi is always fresh. My only problem is that my kids can wipe out the entire sushi boat in about 5 minutes.
(4)
Carlos H.
Visited here after many years of not being here. Same situation as last time, visiting the same friend who works here with another friend accompanying me. We sat at the sushi bar, which is nice...but it would be better if you could see them making your sushi easier. I think the setup of this place is like a real Japanese place, it's crammed but there's all kinds of decorations and even though the place doesn't look big there is still a sushi bar, lots of tables, and even a sit-down room. The lady who took our order was quick to work. I had their California Roll (without cucumber because I find cucumber to detract from the taste of sushi) and a Philly Roll (Salmon and Cream Cheese). The California Roll was very fresh as was the Philly Roll, but I didn't notice until I started eating that the Philly Roll has some kind of herb (maybe Cilantro in it) and I feel that distracts from the taste of the roll. So next time I would make sure to tell them to take that out, but it was still a good roll and would have been better without that part. They gave us some free salad which was really tasty! It tasted like it had some crab in it and I savored it throughout the meal because it was that good. The ginger was nice and fresh, great taste. I also ordered their Onion Soup which was pretty good. The onions were nice and crunchy and the broth was the perfect strength to enjoy with my meal.
(4)
John W.
Joto's was at on time the place for sushi, but since they changed staff, menu and are now Thai-Sushi it is just not the same. I went to them twice after the change and on both occasions the service and sushi were marginal at best. This longtime customer will not be back anytime soon.
(2)
todd f.
Tasty, great staff and fresh food, worth it to check out one of the best sushi restaurants in Tampa.
(4)
Kareem G.
Had beef and shrimp Teriyaki, beef was tough and not seasoned with the sauce drizzled over the top. The miso soup appetizer was to salty for the wife an I. Service was kind and not overbearing. This might be a sushi only restaurant.
(2)
Kim N.
I purchased a Groupon last year to try this place. I was hesitant about Groupon Sushi, but this place has become my go-to sushi spot - no Groupon necessary! It's crowded on a Friday night but is still a quiet atmosphere. The servers are friendly, and the sushi is delicious. Well-priced and fresh, what more can you ask for?
(5)
Scott B.
Another excellent little sushi joint stuffed into a nondescript strip mall. I've been going there for over a year and the sushi is always fresh and the service is also excellent. They also have unbelievable good Nabeyaki Udon. Lots more fresh seafood than what we generally get in the Chicago area. I'll definitely be back. You should stop by too.
(4)
Pamela S.
I go to this restaurant alot of I want a quick sushi meal. The food is good and the speed at which the food comes out is even better. The restaurant is large so it can seat alot of people. The only negative is that I wish they had more specialty rolls that were not fried. Almost always the wait staff is friendly, however; I had one bad experience when one of the servers was extremely rude. We only gave her a 10% tip and she followed us to the front asking us if that was all that we gave her! Unbelievable! That one bad apple hasn't swayed me eating there though!
(4)
Hwal L.
First time going back in a year, and I hear there have been some changes, including a stronger focus on Thai menu. Friday night just before the end of their happy hour, I ordered every single one of their $1 sushi with miso soup, and my partner spicy tuna and Mexican rolls with house soup. Server was Luis. Service was good overall, the food was subpar for me particularly. Just FYI, all $1 ones are a one piece items, and I had way better quality at a budget sushi train restaurant in Seattle than this. Quail egg is raw and arrived partially hatched, perched atop a lump of wasabi. To think we paid almost $30 for this.. And I had to come home and eat again. Not going back.
(2)
Dilo G.
I heard this place has a reputation in town. It has been a few years since I have eaten here. Stopped by on a Sunday since this place is kind of small it gets packed easily. Waited at least 25 minutes to get seated but they only had 3 servers. Finally we got seated and was another 15 minutes before we got a server or water. We ordered immediately because we knew they were busy but surprisingly food arrived withing 10 minutes. We ordered sushi and some fried rice which we knew it was easier but came out perfect and good. Prices are good. Waitress was trying her best and gave out her best service even though they were a few customers that did not understand that they were busy and short staff. I definitely will come back when in town again.
(4)
Mark P.
Joto Thai-Sushi seems to be a Japanese restaurant in Thai clothing. They serve Japanese appetizers like negamaki but have Thai entrees such as Massaman Curry. Their menu is surprisingly limited, maybe it's because it's not a true Thai restaurant. I mean, have you ever seen a Thai restaurant that doesn't offer Pad Thai? That's a staple that should be on every Thai restaurant's menu. So I went with the Massaman and asked for it to be non-spicy. No problem, says the waiter. I received the dish fairly quickly; not only was it steaming hot but also too spicy. Aside from that, the potatoes were undercooked. But as a whole, the flavor was there and there was plenty of chicken. The servers were very attentive, checking up on me five times in a half an hour and filling up my water without having to ask. The waiter also apologized twice for the spice level. The decor is somewhat tacky and highlights their identity crisis by having both Japanese and Thai accessories as well flashing LED lights. Let's not forget a fortune cookie to top off the meal. Strange place!
(3)
Marc S.
The food here is veryyyyyy good. I am a Pad Thai freak and have to say that this one is in my top 5. I always receive good service here, food always fresh and not badly priced. The parking can get a little tricky sometimes as there are only a certain amount of spots out front so maybe considering all riding together if you are going with others. All in all...I have been here at least 8+ times and will continue to go back.
(5)
Cori W.
Stopped by for lunch today and had a really good experience. I had a tuna roll with seared tuna on top and the coconut soup. The Soup was AMAZING....soo good. The roll was ok, it was fresh but I would get a different one next time. I really enjoyed the ambiance and the service was great!
(4)
Angela S.
If I could give 3.5 stars I probably would, but maybe it would be more like 3.25 so I am rounding down. Positives: -lobster tempura roll, wow! -good, quick service -no waiting for a table Negatives: -other rolls were ok, but not amazing - wine was bad, and the selection was minimal -no ambience, the place was actually dead on a Saturday night I am kind of neutral on the cost. It wasn't a deal, but was not excessively high either. I will probably return, because sometimes you just want convenience with your sushi, but if I want really great sushi I am still sticking with samurai blue.
(3)
Richa S.
Food justified its authenticity being Asian cuisine.. Loved the place and people for being friendly :) I will visit again..
(5)
Noelle L.
Solid 3 star sushi. The tuna sashimi was very fresh and everyone in my party loved it. They have a great happy hour, which goes until 7pm. It is dollar sushi and discounted appetizers and even a few rolls are on there. Is it "the best" sushi in Tampa? No, but it's quality sushi where I would never question the freshness. Their sukiyaki is pretty good as well, although a bit pricey. Overall, if you are looking for above average sushi at a reasonable price, stop on in.
(4)
Dominick T.
Over the years, Joto went through phases. For a while it was not a very good place. I am glad to say, the last visit put it back in my good graces. The pickle in my fotomaki roll was crisp, the sweet shrimp was tasty, and I enjoyed the variety of the new special rolls. Service was good, and they paid attention to the little things that makes a sushi dinner good. Pricing was a little high, but maybe thats a perception on my part. All in all I recommend Joto.
(4)
Andrea L.
Great sushi and atmosphere. Can be casual or you have dress up a bit. Anything goes. Go for the sushi boat if you have a few people. Great combos of rolls to share plus soup and salad for two. Will definitely be coming back to try more.
(5)
C C.
My partner and I tried this place for the first time last night and we were both pretty pleased. We shared an order of dumplings as well as the two friends panang. I've seen many complaints of portions and a lack of meatiness, but I disagree there. We were both quite satisfied and even took home an entire meals worth of food. The panang was certainly worth the $12, which is pretty consistent with a lot of other local Thai joints. We finished off with the Thai donuts, which you can never go wrong with! I do regret not having tried the sushi though, another group nearby had ordered a boat and it looked delicious! I'd give them a 4-star rating if I hadn't felt a bit cramped in the place, but that has nothing to do with the food quality. It's just my personal preference to have a certain atmosphere (and lower volume) while going out for date nights. Overall, good food and we will likely return to try out other dishes in the future.
My family used to go to Jo-To in Brandon ALL THE TIME. So we thought this would be just the same. We were wrong. No hibachi cook-in-front-of-you grill! But I guess we should have known with the name being THAI and not JAPANESE. After getting over that little confusion and disappointment though, we found out that the place isn't too bad. There's a special table you can sit at traditional-style on the floor. You need to take your shoes off. Fun! Except my two grandmothers would not have been able to get in there, so we sat at a regular table. I took a taste of both their Thai and sushi. Massaman curry and a sushi that I don't remember. Sorry! Both were pretty good, but not something that makes JoTo stand out from any other Thai restaurant I've visited. Just a note - the cheese rolls in their sampler appetizer platter are not appetizing. Blech, no thanks.
(3)
Jason H.
I've been to Joto several times, though admittedly never without a Groupon. Each time I try a different kind of sushi and thus far I've enjoyed them all. I think my favorite is the Spicy Salmon. Definitely a good spot, I just don't live in the area anymore.
(4)
Jennyfer A.
The setting is dark and romantic. There is dreamy lighting and a bubbling water fountain in the corner. The dish layouts are beautiful. The sushi entrees choices could have more options but the sushi i tasted was delicious, though a bit pricey.
(4)
Earendil L.
I love Joto's. It is a longtime favorite. It is quiet, relaxing, and the sashimi is delicious. They have good rolls, too. You can sit at the bar, or a table, or if you are with a group, they have larger tables where you can slip off your shoes and put your feet and legs underneath the table; very nice. The ambience is tranquil and the servers are attentive. There are menus and you can mark what sushi or sashimi you want, or you can tell your server. They have tempura and other cooked selections if you do not like raw. There is green tea, ginger, or vanilla ice cream for dessert, fried ice cream, and other choices. The food is presented beautifully. One tip: The parking in front of the restaurant can be somewhat limited depending on when you go. (It is in a small strip mall.) Check the parking in back of the restaurant as well. Every time I go, it is a first-class experience. It is a very consistent place. The food and service are consistent. Highly recommend.
(5)
John S.
Went there for Mother's Day to take my wife out for Sushi. My wife is Japanese so she knows sushi. This place is below average and expensive. I would recommend finding a better authentic Japanese place over this place. I will NEVER come back to this place. I tried it once a few years ago and was not impressed then. We thought we would give it another chance but it was an expensive mistake.
(1)
Chris K.
Top Notch sushi. I would say this is top 3 in Tampa Area and I have tried about 20 places over the course of the past 10 years. I have not ate other items besides sushi, so I cannot speak for the Thai offerings.
(4)
Thomas B.
The problem with Sushi establishments in Tampa is that they try to accommodate the local populace by trying to "southernize" food such as 1) deep fry things and pass them on as sushi 2) drench things in mayonnaise and try to to them off as sushi 3) add spicy hot sauce and try to....well you know the deal. I was pleasantly surprised by how absolutely fresh and clean the sushi was here. Unagi was perfectly rich in flavor, warm and moist. The hamachi fresh and delish. Mackerel, tuna, sweet shrimp, scallop, octopus - all fresh on simple rice wrapped with a strip of seaweed. This is superb sushi and unlike most places, the chef is Japanese. I love Nobeyaki Udon - fresh fish, shrimp, mussels. And the steamed gyoza were petit and flavorful as they should be, not like pot stickers in other places. Overall a very good dining experience - the best sushi I've found in the Tampa-St Pete area. Tanoshimi wa koko dainingu!
(4)
Jessica M.
My fiance and I love coming here once a week for a relaxing night with friendly service and great sushi! Not to mention saki, yum!!! If youre looking for an alcohol free drink the sweetened thai tea is the best!!!
(5)
Savannah M.
If I could give this place no stars. I would. It made me sick..it was a dirty dinning! EWWIEEEE!! And the fortune cookies were stale! L
(1)
JaxMan T.
On my first outing to JoTo, knocking this one off my bookmarked list based on other yelper's reviews, I was favorably impressed with a positive experience. We got a Lollipop roll, Sexy Man and Tuna something (spicy crunchy tuna), and all three were very good. I was in a non-traditional mood, so all three of the rolls were wrapped in cucumber, soy paper or something other than sea weed. This made for a very lite and excellent combination as the three rolls were quite adequate and filling. The miso soup was fine (I am a traditionalist here and would prefer no mushrooms), and the ginger salad was ginger salad. All in all, a very tasty and satisfying authentic Japanese / thai restaurant. Reminds me of places I used go underage drinking, but better food. Nice friendly service. I'll go back!
(4)
Paul K.
Can't talk about location, cause my date picked it up. As to the food, it was great; not only was it fresh, with flavors right on, but also the rice was perfect - not too many places can make the rice feel light; this place nailed it!
(4)
Mollie H.
Not wonderful. Had better sushi. Felt it was a little slimy and fishy.
(2)
Al B.
Worst sushi I ever had! I have eaten sushi from all over the world including Japan. This place has to be the absolute worst I have ever tasted. It was just so tasteless and dried. Even the soy sauce tasted funny. Also, while we were dinning some old lady happened to walk in and started yapping all over the place to the employees and checking around. I assumed she was the owner. She walked past our table at least seven times and didn't speak to us once but managed to keep staring at my wife. Perhaps she likes ladies? I'm not sure. Regardless, this had to be the biggest waste of $40 I have ever spent in my life.
(1)
Adam C.
I just love Joto. First off if you eat alone alot. As I do. Eat at the bar, The whole crew is great and very genuine. I think alot of gripes come from inexperienced diners. If you have had publix sushi all your life then you have real sushi you might not enjoy the real deal. That being said. I spent time in Japan and Sushi here is good. I rarely use alot of soy or wasabi so I know it's good stuff. Another reason to sit at the bar is you can see the fish. If it looks a certain way and you don't like that. Don't order it. Sushi is an art and they have it down. Very enjoyable atmosphere. The cat making sushi is the best!! AND THE BATHROOM IS UP FRONT!!!!!
(5)
yum e.
Price point is higher than what is warranted for the quality. I only tried the sushi which was not remotely impressive but perhaps comparable to other sushi places nearby. Service is nice. Seems like a neighborhood joint but nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)
Jennie W.
This was such a fun sushi place to take my son with really amazing service. Super friendly and very quite little spot. Nice place to get a relaxing zashiki style (remove shoes/sit on floor) dining experience especially if you have never done this before. The sushi was great and the shrimp tempura was very fresh! Will definitely go again.
(5)
Susan M.
I liked it. I bought a Groupon deal, that's how we try new restaurants on a regular basis. No need to pay full price until you know if you're going to like it or not, right? At first I was a little put off because there was a sign printed out on regular paper and taped to the door. For some reason those kinds of signs always worry me. But it just said not to worry about the expiration date on your Groupon, that they will continue to honor it. So OK....in the door we go! I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in. The lighting was low, the decor was intimate, and the music was background music, not intrusive at all. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is extensive, with Thai and Japanese offerings. We were in the mood for sushi but I will definitely go back and try some of the Thai food. Since we had not been to the restaurant before we just chose the JoTo boat as a sampler. It was a very good deal. For $43 ($33 because of my Groupon) we got soup and salad (the soup was mushroom and had very good flavor, I like the citrus dressing on the salad), sashimi, seaweek salad, krab nachos and several rolls. Everything was good. The only thing we didn't like is that all our rolls were tempura so next time we will mix it up a bit. Overall it was a very pleasant first experience and we will be back again.
(4)
Michele R.
Bought a Groupon and eventually made it tere.... and was pleasantly surprised. Had not set foot there in about 10 years due to the attitude of the staff. Went solo, on a sunday eve, my groupon and moi along with the newspaper in case in needed to escape. O joy... the ownership CHANGED !!!! hurrah!!!! I ordered several items. All DELICIOUS!!!!! Sushi chef was personable, and Owner was sitting at bar and made conversation. Returned a week later with a friend. He remembered my name. Read Kathy's post. Decorum is impt. Asian culture slurps. and i have noted that all servers are not created alike. In any case, I will return.... Caliber is very high. Fresh and tasty and the chef on both visits offered a small plate on the house! Note... Owner also owns Rouen Thai. Gandy.
(4)
J C.
This is my girlfriend and mines favorite weekend spot. My parents used to take me here as a kid and so i take her lol - The new thai dishes are spot on - and the staff is always awesome. I hope they are in business for ever lol
(5)
Ali E.
My girlfriend and I crossed the street after coming from the LA Fitness across the street, i was excited to try sushi at this place. the atmosphere is very welcoming and romantic; but to our surprise we had two different waiters ask us if we were ordering more food three times. we wanted to have a light dinner and ordered two rolls, one sashimi, and edamame, It was rude for two waiters to keep asking us if we were ordering more food. I was disappointed and i felt as if they were kicking us out because we are not ordering a lot. the restaurant was half empty, i dont understand the thinking behind this, shouldn't all customers be treated the same regardless of what they order. The food was just ok.
(1)
Gloria S.
Small, quaint, cozy, good sushi, service could be better, parking limited. Extra star for my good company in case he reads this! :)
(4)
Jennifer H.
For the price, the sushi didn't floor me. The decor was a pleasant surprise considering it is easily missed as a simple hole in the wall asian place. But I was looking for good sushi and I didn't get it here.
(3)
Win P.
My first review. They have amazing sushi here.Very Fresh sashimi. Nice decorations in the restaurant. People there are truly friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)
Andrea C.
Although we were seated promptly and the staff was super friendly the food wasn't good at all. We ordered the edamame as an appetizer, which came out under cooked and at the same time as our soup and ginger salad. We had barely made a dent in our edamame, let aone the soup and salad and our entrees came out. So there they sat, slowly getting cold while we were still trying to finish our starters. The ginger dressing wasn't that great. I had the shrimp tempura and my husband had the ginger beef. My tempura was bland and the sauce that came with it was a glorified soy sauce that left an extremely weird after taste. My husband's ginger beef was dry despite being in all that sauce. It was just really disappointing. We don't get to enjoy date nights out very often, so we wanted to get out and enjoy ourselves, instead we were rushed through dinner and in and out of the restaurant in less than 40 minutes... which makes me wonder how long my food had been sitting in the back, already prepared, just waiting for the unlucky individual to order it, instead of being freshly prepared. I will never go back, nor will I ever recommend it to someone. Hey, maybe the sushi is good there? I'll never know.
(1)
Melina M.
Located in a strip mall but place seemed cozy enough. We had a group of 5 and waited an hour for our sushi which came out stiff and chewy. We had to ask our waiter for our waters to be filled because they barely came around enough. The volcano roll's steamed crab was ice cold and hard to swallow. I went there because I had a groupon but definitely won't be going back. Guess I'll stick with my soho sushi.
(2)
Trang T.
vibes are important, and as someone who's traversed the islands of japan for a bit, the vibe of this japanese place is fantastically authentic. also: high quality sashimi and cool, yummy green tea ice cream (yay! that's all a girl like me needs). and prices are totally reasonable. new item for the bucket list: come back to this place with a bunch of friends so that we can all sit on cushions and eat off of low tables japanese style in their dedicated group tables that are directly across from the skilled sushi masters. kan pai ;)
(4)
Lisa R.
Service was great. The complimentary salad was a nice touch and I enjoyed it. We sat at the sushi bar and ordered 6 various rolls. I thought the cafeteria trays we were meant to eat off were unpleasant. I didn't like the look of the freshness of the fish so didn't order sashimi as I usually do. The sushi was very mediocre. The rice was a bit 'gummy' (had it been refrigerated?). The tempura in the rolls tasted like it had been cooked in old oil, and the tempura in the spider roll was dry and mealy tasting. The other rolls were ok, but we didn't finish everything, and I usually finish all my sushi no matter how full I am! The worst thing though about this experience was the smell inside the restaurant. Like old dirty carpet or a floor cleaned with a dirty mop. This place has been here for along time and I don't think they have ever cleaned the carpet. It took me 15 minutes to stop thinking about it. Sorry Joto, but there is only one sushi place in the Tampa area that I love (Ninja Sushi in Brandon), and several that I like better. The place was full by the time we left though, so apparently I am in the minority.
(2)
Stephanie N.
Smaller location than the CLW one, but the food is just as good. Actually, I think it may be just an itsy bit better. Atmosphere is definitely cooler since its a l'il darker than and more intimate. Really like sitting shoeless on the tatami mats around the table. Not good for really large parties though. Recommendations? Agedashidofu!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Emily B.
Sushi was good, but not fabulous. Prices are pretty reasonable and they have an interesting happy hour that includes several good rolls. While I enjoyed Jotos, I probably wouldn't be back. There must be better sushi in Tampa.
(3)Robin T.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. We only ordered off the Thai menu, so I can't speak for the sushi, but the Thai food was fantastic! Ambiance was great, too! It has a very romantic and serene atmosphere, which is not at all what I was expecting since it is located in a dumpy little strip mall. Tom yum soup - The tom yum soup was a little different than what I'm used to - much more STUFF in it than normal, like green onions, chili flakes, etc. Very flavorful and tasty broth. Massaman curry - OMG delish. Perfect. Drunken noodles - My favorite Thai dish. It was great! Beef was a little chewy, but the noodles and veggies were great. I asked for hot and it was pretty hot. Some Thai places like to tone down the spiciness but their hot is truly hot, and I imagine their Thai spicy is actually Thai spicy. Got the Massaman curry at medium spiciness and it was significantly less spicy than the regular hot spiciness. My only complaints are that it's a tad pricier than some other Thai places and they don't have mango sticky rice (my fav Asian dessert)!
(4)Cari E.
I can't be certain, but I think that Joto's was the first Sushi restaurant I ate at in Tampa (My first Sushi experience was in New Orleans). It was a staple in my rotation in high school for sure. Unfortunately, they seem to be going through a little bit of an identity crisis right now. I'm guessing they are trying to be more like the Soho Sushi's of the world; trendy, hip, cool. That's just not them. They are a neighborhood institution who has been around for at least 10 years. That's says something about their quality. They are a good, solid sushi joint. Will you feel cool eating here? If your atmosphere decides your hipness, then probably not. Will you leave satisfied with a belly full of good sushi? Yup.
(4)Paul W.
My family has been going to Joto for about 15 years. We always get a huge boat of sushi. It is very consistent. The service is always very good and the sushi is always fresh. My only problem is that my kids can wipe out the entire sushi boat in about 5 minutes.
(4)Carlos H.
Visited here after many years of not being here. Same situation as last time, visiting the same friend who works here with another friend accompanying me. We sat at the sushi bar, which is nice...but it would be better if you could see them making your sushi easier. I think the setup of this place is like a real Japanese place, it's crammed but there's all kinds of decorations and even though the place doesn't look big there is still a sushi bar, lots of tables, and even a sit-down room. The lady who took our order was quick to work. I had their California Roll (without cucumber because I find cucumber to detract from the taste of sushi) and a Philly Roll (Salmon and Cream Cheese). The California Roll was very fresh as was the Philly Roll, but I didn't notice until I started eating that the Philly Roll has some kind of herb (maybe Cilantro in it) and I feel that distracts from the taste of the roll. So next time I would make sure to tell them to take that out, but it was still a good roll and would have been better without that part. They gave us some free salad which was really tasty! It tasted like it had some crab in it and I savored it throughout the meal because it was that good. The ginger was nice and fresh, great taste. I also ordered their Onion Soup which was pretty good. The onions were nice and crunchy and the broth was the perfect strength to enjoy with my meal.
(4)John W.
Joto's was at on time the place for sushi, but since they changed staff, menu and are now Thai-Sushi it is just not the same. I went to them twice after the change and on both occasions the service and sushi were marginal at best. This longtime customer will not be back anytime soon.
(2)todd f.
Tasty, great staff and fresh food, worth it to check out one of the best sushi restaurants in Tampa.
(4)Kareem G.
Had beef and shrimp Teriyaki, beef was tough and not seasoned with the sauce drizzled over the top. The miso soup appetizer was to salty for the wife an I. Service was kind and not overbearing. This might be a sushi only restaurant.
(2)Kim N.
I purchased a Groupon last year to try this place. I was hesitant about Groupon Sushi, but this place has become my go-to sushi spot - no Groupon necessary! It's crowded on a Friday night but is still a quiet atmosphere. The servers are friendly, and the sushi is delicious. Well-priced and fresh, what more can you ask for?
(5)Scott B.
Another excellent little sushi joint stuffed into a nondescript strip mall. I've been going there for over a year and the sushi is always fresh and the service is also excellent. They also have unbelievable good Nabeyaki Udon. Lots more fresh seafood than what we generally get in the Chicago area. I'll definitely be back. You should stop by too.
(4)Pamela S.
I go to this restaurant alot of I want a quick sushi meal. The food is good and the speed at which the food comes out is even better. The restaurant is large so it can seat alot of people. The only negative is that I wish they had more specialty rolls that were not fried. Almost always the wait staff is friendly, however; I had one bad experience when one of the servers was extremely rude. We only gave her a 10% tip and she followed us to the front asking us if that was all that we gave her! Unbelievable! That one bad apple hasn't swayed me eating there though!
(4)Hwal L.
First time going back in a year, and I hear there have been some changes, including a stronger focus on Thai menu. Friday night just before the end of their happy hour, I ordered every single one of their $1 sushi with miso soup, and my partner spicy tuna and Mexican rolls with house soup. Server was Luis. Service was good overall, the food was subpar for me particularly. Just FYI, all $1 ones are a one piece items, and I had way better quality at a budget sushi train restaurant in Seattle than this. Quail egg is raw and arrived partially hatched, perched atop a lump of wasabi. To think we paid almost $30 for this.. And I had to come home and eat again. Not going back.
(2)Dilo G.
I heard this place has a reputation in town. It has been a few years since I have eaten here. Stopped by on a Sunday since this place is kind of small it gets packed easily. Waited at least 25 minutes to get seated but they only had 3 servers. Finally we got seated and was another 15 minutes before we got a server or water. We ordered immediately because we knew they were busy but surprisingly food arrived withing 10 minutes. We ordered sushi and some fried rice which we knew it was easier but came out perfect and good. Prices are good. Waitress was trying her best and gave out her best service even though they were a few customers that did not understand that they were busy and short staff. I definitely will come back when in town again.
(4)Mark P.
Joto Thai-Sushi seems to be a Japanese restaurant in Thai clothing. They serve Japanese appetizers like negamaki but have Thai entrees such as Massaman Curry. Their menu is surprisingly limited, maybe it's because it's not a true Thai restaurant. I mean, have you ever seen a Thai restaurant that doesn't offer Pad Thai? That's a staple that should be on every Thai restaurant's menu. So I went with the Massaman and asked for it to be non-spicy. No problem, says the waiter. I received the dish fairly quickly; not only was it steaming hot but also too spicy. Aside from that, the potatoes were undercooked. But as a whole, the flavor was there and there was plenty of chicken. The servers were very attentive, checking up on me five times in a half an hour and filling up my water without having to ask. The waiter also apologized twice for the spice level. The decor is somewhat tacky and highlights their identity crisis by having both Japanese and Thai accessories as well flashing LED lights. Let's not forget a fortune cookie to top off the meal. Strange place!
(3)Marc S.
The food here is veryyyyyy good. I am a Pad Thai freak and have to say that this one is in my top 5. I always receive good service here, food always fresh and not badly priced. The parking can get a little tricky sometimes as there are only a certain amount of spots out front so maybe considering all riding together if you are going with others. All in all...I have been here at least 8+ times and will continue to go back.
(5)Cori W.
Stopped by for lunch today and had a really good experience. I had a tuna roll with seared tuna on top and the coconut soup. The Soup was AMAZING....soo good. The roll was ok, it was fresh but I would get a different one next time. I really enjoyed the ambiance and the service was great!
(4)Angela S.
If I could give 3.5 stars I probably would, but maybe it would be more like 3.25 so I am rounding down. Positives: -lobster tempura roll, wow! -good, quick service -no waiting for a table Negatives: -other rolls were ok, but not amazing - wine was bad, and the selection was minimal -no ambience, the place was actually dead on a Saturday night I am kind of neutral on the cost. It wasn't a deal, but was not excessively high either. I will probably return, because sometimes you just want convenience with your sushi, but if I want really great sushi I am still sticking with samurai blue.
(3)Richa S.
Food justified its authenticity being Asian cuisine.. Loved the place and people for being friendly :) I will visit again..
(5)Noelle L.
Solid 3 star sushi. The tuna sashimi was very fresh and everyone in my party loved it. They have a great happy hour, which goes until 7pm. It is dollar sushi and discounted appetizers and even a few rolls are on there. Is it "the best" sushi in Tampa? No, but it's quality sushi where I would never question the freshness. Their sukiyaki is pretty good as well, although a bit pricey. Overall, if you are looking for above average sushi at a reasonable price, stop on in.
(4)Dominick T.
Over the years, Joto went through phases. For a while it was not a very good place. I am glad to say, the last visit put it back in my good graces. The pickle in my fotomaki roll was crisp, the sweet shrimp was tasty, and I enjoyed the variety of the new special rolls. Service was good, and they paid attention to the little things that makes a sushi dinner good. Pricing was a little high, but maybe thats a perception on my part. All in all I recommend Joto.
(4)Andrea L.
Great sushi and atmosphere. Can be casual or you have dress up a bit. Anything goes. Go for the sushi boat if you have a few people. Great combos of rolls to share plus soup and salad for two. Will definitely be coming back to try more.
(5)C C.
My partner and I tried this place for the first time last night and we were both pretty pleased. We shared an order of dumplings as well as the two friends panang. I've seen many complaints of portions and a lack of meatiness, but I disagree there. We were both quite satisfied and even took home an entire meals worth of food. The panang was certainly worth the $12, which is pretty consistent with a lot of other local Thai joints. We finished off with the Thai donuts, which you can never go wrong with! I do regret not having tried the sushi though, another group nearby had ordered a boat and it looked delicious! I'd give them a 4-star rating if I hadn't felt a bit cramped in the place, but that has nothing to do with the food quality. It's just my personal preference to have a certain atmosphere (and lower volume) while going out for date nights. Overall, good food and we will likely return to try out other dishes in the future.
(3)Todd B.
I've heard that in traditional Asian meals, that meat is a secondary item, and that was never more true then here. Came here with a groupon with my girlfriend. We got a Sexy Man roll as an appetizer (and she got a Sexy Man as a companion) and we both got a thai dish for dinner - mine with pork, and hers with sushi. There may have been enough pork/shrimp combined for 1 person. Seriously, a couple of bites and the rest was veggies and rice. Don't get me wrong, I like veggies and rice, but when I want pork, I want to actually see and taste some pork. Outside of the amount of protein, it was very good. I really enjoyed the spice in mine and she liked her dish as well. I got pring khrig, or something like that, and she got massaman, or something like that. You can't go wrong with either dish, but don't get more than hot. Regular hot was plenty hot - and I love spicy food - thai hot would have been too much to handle. So, it lost a star for the lack of meat, and it looses another one for timing. We placed our order and our sushi appetizer - a single roll mind you - took 20 minutes. The table next to us got their sushi 5 minutes or so before us and had clearly been sitting there a while before we even showed up. The reason was obvious - the table on the other side of us ordered a sushi boat, which looked amazing. Very very well done and beautifully presented. However, there was a single sushi chef working, and the boat - which was 10 or so rolls, I think - put him really far behind. So while it was completely understandable, I think the server could have explained that to us before we ordered the sushi so we would have known it was going to be a while and we could have ordered accordingly. Our thai food came out within a couple of minutes of the server putting in the entrée order. Unfortunately for the tables sat after us, as we were leaving, another boat was delivered to another table, meaning everyone else was going to wait a while. Finally, while the sushi looked awesome, I was underwhelmed by the sexy man roll (and no, my girlfriend was not underwhelmed by her sexy man companion). However, I am not taking too much away from them for that. First, it was one roll and I can't judge all of their sushi on a single roll, and second, it was good, just not the best sexy man roll I ever had. Did I just say that wasn't the best sexy man I ever had?!?!?
(3)Todd S.
The sushi is the poorest quality of any I've found in Tampa..... The atmosphere is nice but the food is not!
(2)Melissa Z.
WHERE's the beef!?!?! I'm vegetarian, and even I found myself asking this question because my date and I both ordered thai entrees with pork or shrimp (respectively) and between us, there wasn't enough protein to feed a starving cat. The entrees both tasted wonderful, but you don't get your money's worth here. Maybe it's because we had a groupon? We also had a sushi roll as an appetizer. A lot of good specialty rolls. Too many fried ones for our taste though. Still, it had a good amount of fish and wasn't just a lot rice. So may if you come here, stick to the sushi. the sushi boat - it looks awesome! If you're in a group, get The guy rolling them by had looks serious legit. Treats every roll like an art form, according to our waiter. The reason this place gets 3 stars instead of two for the meager entrées was the atmosphere. It was a wonderful oriental oasis in a typical TPA strip mall. It has an intimate atmosphere with Asian inspired wall treatments and warm lighting. So I would consider returning and just get the sushi.
(3)Acelyn B.
My family used to go to Jo-To in Brandon ALL THE TIME. So we thought this would be just the same. We were wrong. No hibachi cook-in-front-of-you grill! But I guess we should have known with the name being THAI and not JAPANESE. After getting over that little confusion and disappointment though, we found out that the place isn't too bad. There's a special table you can sit at traditional-style on the floor. You need to take your shoes off. Fun! Except my two grandmothers would not have been able to get in there, so we sat at a regular table. I took a taste of both their Thai and sushi. Massaman curry and a sushi that I don't remember. Sorry! Both were pretty good, but not something that makes JoTo stand out from any other Thai restaurant I've visited. Just a note - the cheese rolls in their sampler appetizer platter are not appetizing. Blech, no thanks.
(3)Jason H.
I've been to Joto several times, though admittedly never without a Groupon. Each time I try a different kind of sushi and thus far I've enjoyed them all. I think my favorite is the Spicy Salmon. Definitely a good spot, I just don't live in the area anymore.
(4)Jennyfer A.
The setting is dark and romantic. There is dreamy lighting and a bubbling water fountain in the corner. The dish layouts are beautiful. The sushi entrees choices could have more options but the sushi i tasted was delicious, though a bit pricey.
(4)Earendil L.
I love Joto's. It is a longtime favorite. It is quiet, relaxing, and the sashimi is delicious. They have good rolls, too. You can sit at the bar, or a table, or if you are with a group, they have larger tables where you can slip off your shoes and put your feet and legs underneath the table; very nice. The ambience is tranquil and the servers are attentive. There are menus and you can mark what sushi or sashimi you want, or you can tell your server. They have tempura and other cooked selections if you do not like raw. There is green tea, ginger, or vanilla ice cream for dessert, fried ice cream, and other choices. The food is presented beautifully. One tip: The parking in front of the restaurant can be somewhat limited depending on when you go. (It is in a small strip mall.) Check the parking in back of the restaurant as well. Every time I go, it is a first-class experience. It is a very consistent place. The food and service are consistent. Highly recommend.
(5)John S.
Went there for Mother's Day to take my wife out for Sushi. My wife is Japanese so she knows sushi. This place is below average and expensive. I would recommend finding a better authentic Japanese place over this place. I will NEVER come back to this place. I tried it once a few years ago and was not impressed then. We thought we would give it another chance but it was an expensive mistake.
(1)Chris K.
Top Notch sushi. I would say this is top 3 in Tampa Area and I have tried about 20 places over the course of the past 10 years. I have not ate other items besides sushi, so I cannot speak for the Thai offerings.
(4)Thomas B.
The problem with Sushi establishments in Tampa is that they try to accommodate the local populace by trying to "southernize" food such as 1) deep fry things and pass them on as sushi 2) drench things in mayonnaise and try to to them off as sushi 3) add spicy hot sauce and try to....well you know the deal. I was pleasantly surprised by how absolutely fresh and clean the sushi was here. Unagi was perfectly rich in flavor, warm and moist. The hamachi fresh and delish. Mackerel, tuna, sweet shrimp, scallop, octopus - all fresh on simple rice wrapped with a strip of seaweed. This is superb sushi and unlike most places, the chef is Japanese. I love Nobeyaki Udon - fresh fish, shrimp, mussels. And the steamed gyoza were petit and flavorful as they should be, not like pot stickers in other places. Overall a very good dining experience - the best sushi I've found in the Tampa-St Pete area. Tanoshimi wa koko dainingu!
(4)Jessica M.
My fiance and I love coming here once a week for a relaxing night with friendly service and great sushi! Not to mention saki, yum!!! If youre looking for an alcohol free drink the sweetened thai tea is the best!!!
(5)Savannah M.
If I could give this place no stars. I would. It made me sick..it was a dirty dinning! EWWIEEEE!! And the fortune cookies were stale! L
(1)JaxMan T.
On my first outing to JoTo, knocking this one off my bookmarked list based on other yelper's reviews, I was favorably impressed with a positive experience. We got a Lollipop roll, Sexy Man and Tuna something (spicy crunchy tuna), and all three were very good. I was in a non-traditional mood, so all three of the rolls were wrapped in cucumber, soy paper or something other than sea weed. This made for a very lite and excellent combination as the three rolls were quite adequate and filling. The miso soup was fine (I am a traditionalist here and would prefer no mushrooms), and the ginger salad was ginger salad. All in all, a very tasty and satisfying authentic Japanese / thai restaurant. Reminds me of places I used go underage drinking, but better food. Nice friendly service. I'll go back!
(4)Paul K.
Can't talk about location, cause my date picked it up. As to the food, it was great; not only was it fresh, with flavors right on, but also the rice was perfect - not too many places can make the rice feel light; this place nailed it!
(4)Mollie H.
Not wonderful. Had better sushi. Felt it was a little slimy and fishy.
(2)Al B.
Worst sushi I ever had! I have eaten sushi from all over the world including Japan. This place has to be the absolute worst I have ever tasted. It was just so tasteless and dried. Even the soy sauce tasted funny. Also, while we were dinning some old lady happened to walk in and started yapping all over the place to the employees and checking around. I assumed she was the owner. She walked past our table at least seven times and didn't speak to us once but managed to keep staring at my wife. Perhaps she likes ladies? I'm not sure. Regardless, this had to be the biggest waste of $40 I have ever spent in my life.
(1)Adam C.
I just love Joto. First off if you eat alone alot. As I do. Eat at the bar, The whole crew is great and very genuine. I think alot of gripes come from inexperienced diners. If you have had publix sushi all your life then you have real sushi you might not enjoy the real deal. That being said. I spent time in Japan and Sushi here is good. I rarely use alot of soy or wasabi so I know it's good stuff. Another reason to sit at the bar is you can see the fish. If it looks a certain way and you don't like that. Don't order it. Sushi is an art and they have it down. Very enjoyable atmosphere. The cat making sushi is the best!! AND THE BATHROOM IS UP FRONT!!!!!
(5)yum e.
Price point is higher than what is warranted for the quality. I only tried the sushi which was not remotely impressive but perhaps comparable to other sushi places nearby. Service is nice. Seems like a neighborhood joint but nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)Jennie W.
This was such a fun sushi place to take my son with really amazing service. Super friendly and very quite little spot. Nice place to get a relaxing zashiki style (remove shoes/sit on floor) dining experience especially if you have never done this before. The sushi was great and the shrimp tempura was very fresh! Will definitely go again.
(5)Susan M.
I liked it. I bought a Groupon deal, that's how we try new restaurants on a regular basis. No need to pay full price until you know if you're going to like it or not, right? At first I was a little put off because there was a sign printed out on regular paper and taped to the door. For some reason those kinds of signs always worry me. But it just said not to worry about the expiration date on your Groupon, that they will continue to honor it. So OK....in the door we go! I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in. The lighting was low, the decor was intimate, and the music was background music, not intrusive at all. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is extensive, with Thai and Japanese offerings. We were in the mood for sushi but I will definitely go back and try some of the Thai food. Since we had not been to the restaurant before we just chose the JoTo boat as a sampler. It was a very good deal. For $43 ($33 because of my Groupon) we got soup and salad (the soup was mushroom and had very good flavor, I like the citrus dressing on the salad), sashimi, seaweek salad, krab nachos and several rolls. Everything was good. The only thing we didn't like is that all our rolls were tempura so next time we will mix it up a bit. Overall it was a very pleasant first experience and we will be back again.
(4)Michele R.
Bought a Groupon and eventually made it tere.... and was pleasantly surprised. Had not set foot there in about 10 years due to the attitude of the staff. Went solo, on a sunday eve, my groupon and moi along with the newspaper in case in needed to escape. O joy... the ownership CHANGED !!!! hurrah!!!! I ordered several items. All DELICIOUS!!!!! Sushi chef was personable, and Owner was sitting at bar and made conversation. Returned a week later with a friend. He remembered my name. Read Kathy's post. Decorum is impt. Asian culture slurps. and i have noted that all servers are not created alike. In any case, I will return.... Caliber is very high. Fresh and tasty and the chef on both visits offered a small plate on the house! Note... Owner also owns Rouen Thai. Gandy.
(4)J C.
This is my girlfriend and mines favorite weekend spot. My parents used to take me here as a kid and so i take her lol - The new thai dishes are spot on - and the staff is always awesome. I hope they are in business for ever lol
(5)Ali E.
My girlfriend and I crossed the street after coming from the LA Fitness across the street, i was excited to try sushi at this place. the atmosphere is very welcoming and romantic; but to our surprise we had two different waiters ask us if we were ordering more food three times. we wanted to have a light dinner and ordered two rolls, one sashimi, and edamame, It was rude for two waiters to keep asking us if we were ordering more food. I was disappointed and i felt as if they were kicking us out because we are not ordering a lot. the restaurant was half empty, i dont understand the thinking behind this, shouldn't all customers be treated the same regardless of what they order. The food was just ok.
(1)Gloria S.
Small, quaint, cozy, good sushi, service could be better, parking limited. Extra star for my good company in case he reads this! :)
(4)Jennifer H.
For the price, the sushi didn't floor me. The decor was a pleasant surprise considering it is easily missed as a simple hole in the wall asian place. But I was looking for good sushi and I didn't get it here.
(3)Win P.
My first review. They have amazing sushi here.Very Fresh sashimi. Nice decorations in the restaurant. People there are truly friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)Andrea C.
Although we were seated promptly and the staff was super friendly the food wasn't good at all. We ordered the edamame as an appetizer, which came out under cooked and at the same time as our soup and ginger salad. We had barely made a dent in our edamame, let aone the soup and salad and our entrees came out. So there they sat, slowly getting cold while we were still trying to finish our starters. The ginger dressing wasn't that great. I had the shrimp tempura and my husband had the ginger beef. My tempura was bland and the sauce that came with it was a glorified soy sauce that left an extremely weird after taste. My husband's ginger beef was dry despite being in all that sauce. It was just really disappointing. We don't get to enjoy date nights out very often, so we wanted to get out and enjoy ourselves, instead we were rushed through dinner and in and out of the restaurant in less than 40 minutes... which makes me wonder how long my food had been sitting in the back, already prepared, just waiting for the unlucky individual to order it, instead of being freshly prepared. I will never go back, nor will I ever recommend it to someone. Hey, maybe the sushi is good there? I'll never know.
(1)Melina M.
Located in a strip mall but place seemed cozy enough. We had a group of 5 and waited an hour for our sushi which came out stiff and chewy. We had to ask our waiter for our waters to be filled because they barely came around enough. The volcano roll's steamed crab was ice cold and hard to swallow. I went there because I had a groupon but definitely won't be going back. Guess I'll stick with my soho sushi.
(2)Trang T.
vibes are important, and as someone who's traversed the islands of japan for a bit, the vibe of this japanese place is fantastically authentic. also: high quality sashimi and cool, yummy green tea ice cream (yay! that's all a girl like me needs). and prices are totally reasonable. new item for the bucket list: come back to this place with a bunch of friends so that we can all sit on cushions and eat off of low tables japanese style in their dedicated group tables that are directly across from the skilled sushi masters. kan pai ;)
(4)Lisa R.
Service was great. The complimentary salad was a nice touch and I enjoyed it. We sat at the sushi bar and ordered 6 various rolls. I thought the cafeteria trays we were meant to eat off were unpleasant. I didn't like the look of the freshness of the fish so didn't order sashimi as I usually do. The sushi was very mediocre. The rice was a bit 'gummy' (had it been refrigerated?). The tempura in the rolls tasted like it had been cooked in old oil, and the tempura in the spider roll was dry and mealy tasting. The other rolls were ok, but we didn't finish everything, and I usually finish all my sushi no matter how full I am! The worst thing though about this experience was the smell inside the restaurant. Like old dirty carpet or a floor cleaned with a dirty mop. This place has been here for along time and I don't think they have ever cleaned the carpet. It took me 15 minutes to stop thinking about it. Sorry Joto, but there is only one sushi place in the Tampa area that I love (Ninja Sushi in Brandon), and several that I like better. The place was full by the time we left though, so apparently I am in the minority.
(2)Stephanie N.
Smaller location than the CLW one, but the food is just as good. Actually, I think it may be just an itsy bit better. Atmosphere is definitely cooler since its a l'il darker than and more intimate. Really like sitting shoeless on the tatami mats around the table. Not good for really large parties though. Recommendations? Agedashidofu!!
(5)