Steps away from my office, this place is a hidden gem that went unnoticed for far too long! Cant blame me though, the restaurant isn't in the most visible of places. In fact, I wonder if they even get customers outside of the usual office workers and hotel stayers. In any case, their rolls are decent, with one dish standing out in particular... that's the RED TRIANGLES. Sounds weird, but trust me when I say it's very delicious! It's basically spicy tuna (?) over pan-fried rice, add a little bit of hot sauce. The end result is a slightly crunchy, fire of goodness. Definitely worth a try, just don't expect to get full off of one order as it's only 4 tiny bite sized pieces. Verdict: Great because it's convenient, but not quite deserving of raving reviews.
(4)
Jeff S.
Great food and very quick service.
(4)
Scott D.
This place is good and I will go back but I don't think it is Japanese owned anymore. A lot of the items have a Korean theme which is fine but I know why the Japanese people I work with don't frequent anymore.
(3)
KtMila F.
Wonderful. I live most of the year on the west coast, so im accustomed to very fresh seafood/sushi. Although I visit Chicago often I typically stay astray from their sushi. Iv never been impressed with it, Chicago is a much more buger/deep dish pizza kind of place. I checked into the Westin hotel in itasca and soon noticed the Japanese restaurant attached! (Yes, you dont even have to walk outside). :) . I was skeptical but went ahead and went in anyways. I was impressed. Its a very down to earth looking place but the service is impecable and the food was the same. Fresh, delicious, and brought in a timely manner. My cup was never empty and I left feeling very satisfied.
(5)
Eric W.
Skip it. Sushi is overpriced for what you get. Was traveling on business and this was convenient, but I will not return.
(2)
Nicole M.
I decided to try Hirano because it's close to my house. I placed an order to pickup for a few miso soups and three rolls, on a Sat night around 7:20 pm. I was told 20-25 minutes. Got there and had to wait a half hour. It took 50 minutes total! I was not happy. The miso soups were in little containers, hardly half of what you'd get in a bowl, which I thought was skimpy. The rolls were just OK. The Dynamite roll was good, but Boston and Spicy Tuna were the just OK rolls. I had asked for the Dynamite not to be fried and they fried it anyway, which accounted for about 5 of the 50 minutes I waited. Will probably not go back, given there are many other places that are better.
(3)
Anita J.
Love the chicken teriyaki lunch combo :-)
(5)
Bryan J.
This place is just ok i would say average at best. Since it is located in Itasca you will not have many places to choose from!
(2)
Rawlins R.
I work in the building that Hirano is located so it is nice to have an in house Japanese restaurant only an elevator ride away. The service here is fantastic and the food follows in suit. We are always greeted happily and served promptly. I have gotten a lot of different things on the menu here and I have not been disappointed. They are accommodating and understanding of your tastes and will remember certain things you do or don't like. When I want to stay in and get some good Japanese food I am glad that I have Hirano as an option.
(4)
Tom C.
This place use to be great awhile back when Mr. Hirano and his wife owned it. Now the quality is not as good.
(3)
Veronica B.
As far as sushi places go its pretty standard. The service however was a little disappointing. It took forever to get my rolls & then she never came back till she gave me the bill. No offer to refill tea or anything like that. The food its self was fresh. I had them add masago to my rolls which made it better. If you live in the area & looking for a local fix it will do the trick but i wouldn't drive out of my way for this place. It's hard to find, pricey & service is less then ok.
(2)
B R.
Very disappointing...the food, the service, prices, basically everything! My husband, daughter and I went on a Friday night....we were the only people there which should have been a sign to leave. We won't be back and I felt compelled to share my dissatisfaction so others won't make the same mistake!!
(1)
Rose D.
I absolutely love Hirano. I work in the same building as them and have been dining here almost weekly for the past five years. Their lunch specials offer a fantastic quality of sushi at a fantastic price. However, the best part of the restaurant is the staff. They always greet me with a smile, ask about my children and even gave me the most beautiful part of chopsticks for Christmas. I can't recommend the service or food high enough. Thank you, Hirano, for years worth of delicious lunches!
(5)
Alyska B.
My traveling companion and I are staying at the Westin next door, and we're looking for gluten-free dinner options last night. We spotted this place across the parking lot and thought we'd give it a shot. In my years as a gluten-free foodie, I've found that in eating out, unless a restaurant specifically caters to the GF crowd, your two safest cuisines are generally Mexican and Japanese. In the former, avoid flour tortillas, and the latter, avoid noodles and wheated soy. This means MOST sushi is a-ok, aside from eel, inari, or any of the specials with eel sauce. You can bring your own GF soy sauce (tamari) from home, or many restaurants are starting to carry it. When we arrived last night, aside from one other duo, the restaurant was empty. There was the sushi chef and two female hostess/waitress types. They were helpful...almost to the point of rushing us. We asked for water to start, and they took away the drink menus before we even had a chance to open them. I'm not sure if they were bored or what, but two people fussing over my table every two minutes leaves me feeling a bit anxious, even if it's well-intentioned. We ordered nigiri and a couple of rolls. They were tasty, but nothing super-special. The fish was fresh, good, and prices were only slightly more than those in our hometown of Madison, WI. Overall, it was a solid, tasty meal, and a nice alternative to the prices I'm used to looking at on hotel restaurant or room service menus. I'll likely stop back if I stay at the Westin again, but I wouldn't go out if my way to eat here otherwise.
(3)
Adam H.
Sushi was excellent !! The Kamakazi , and red point sushi was fantastic !!! Service was very good. Extremely friendly. Walking distance from Westin. Great Saki selection . Would absolutely go again !
(4)
Renee I.
Had a taste for sushi on a Monday and decided to go to Hirano because I was meeting somebody at the Westin. They say you shouldn't go to a sushi rest. on Monday because the fish is from Saturday (Sunday being the day the fish market is closed) and not fresh. There are a lot of sushi places closed on Mondays and that's why. Well, the fish was less than outstanding and the rice was a little old tasting and my tuna was stringy. The salmon roe was just okay and not fresh. On the plus side, the staff (with the exception of the sushi chef) was very friendly, there is a sake list and a wine list and I found a combination sushi plate on the menu, which is how I like to order. I would go back there but not on a Monday. When we left at about 7:45 the place was still mostly empty. Their prices are quite reasonable but then I guess you get what you pay for.
(2)
David T.
Food was delicious and the staff was friendly and attentive. The sushi portions were about the size I would expect but the prices were definitely higher than what I'm used to in Florida. Seems about par for the northeast. Appetizer came out last which was a little strange but it was all so good that I didn't care!
(4)
J B.
The food is fine and not the reason why I'm giving them a low rating. I understand that sushi restaurants have a tendency to be slow, but this one is the worst I've seen. My first experience was eating at the restaurant with another co-worker. One of us ordered the box lunch and I ordered the sushi lunch special. After waiting for 45 minutes, we asked where our lunch was and was told it was coming right away. After another 10 minutes, we asked and were given the same response. After another 5 minutes, we had to get back to the office and asked for them to put it in to-go boxes since we had to get back to the office. They treated this as an inconvenience and it took another 10 minutes to get us our food to-go. They offered no concessions, which I thought was completely inappropriate, considering our box lunch was soggy and cold by the time we got back to the office. The second time, I walked in and ordered their lunch special to-go. I waited for over 1/2 hour and asked when I could expect my order. I was told another 10 minutes. After 15 minutes, I asked again and was told that it was coming right away. I finally left after another 5 minutes. I believe part of the issue with this place is that there's a huge communication gap with the hostess. I can tell she struggles with the language, but I don't think this is an excuse to tell me 'another 10 minutes' every time I ask a question about where my food is. I worked in foodservice for 10 years so I am probably more patient than most when it comes to service. However, I have no patience for waitstaff who can't make commitments to fix issues when they occur and then make no apologies for that. I am disappointed that this place has such bad service, since it is so convenient to my work and there's no other sushi place close by. I'll purchase sushi off of a grocery store shelf before I go here again.
(1)
anonymous y.
Great sushi! Awesome customer service! The green tea ice cream is freaking incredible! One star off because the service is somewhat slow.
(4)
Jennifer S.
While attending a seminar at the Westin this week, I decided to try something new. Hirano was my new this week! Good choice! Small with some inviting decor, swift waitresses and delicious food will bring me back again soon. It was kinda weird to eat in here alone, so I will either bring a friend or do carryout. It was busy on a Wednesday afternoon. But I still had great service. Gyoza. Hopefully I got that right. Better than a potsticker. This was a crispy treat! I opted for a simple chicken teriyaki lunch special. A beautiful layout of chicken with large, flavorful (and colorful) salad arrived with a side of rice sprinkled with some Japanese seasoning. The rice seasoning was different and unique to me, but it was good. The green tea has caffeine, so I didn't try it. It smelled good though. Served a lovely lunch by some stellar servers...I'll head in again soon!
(4)
Howard B.
Taking my life in my hands having sushi in the Midwest, but my craving rules tonite! This restaurant is situated in what appears to be the Westin Hotel parking lot. I only spotted it out of the corner of my eye, excited to see an alternative to Shula's at the Westin. A small but inviting place with a wide selection of sake as well as sushi, sashimi, and rolls. I ordered the Snow roll with King Crab and it was OK. Very authentic Japanese restaurant I will try again as it promises more than I was able to try this time.
(3)
Cristie F.
You would never know there was a quaint and authentic little sushi restaurant, smack dab in the middle of the Westin Itasca hotel. When I'm out working in our Itasca office, Hirano is usually one of my favorite lunch spots. Authentic in their Japanese cuisine, they use fresh and flavorful ingredients. In the 5+ years of eating lunch here, I've yet to be disappointed. The restaurant is fairly small and can get busy during the lunch rush. Service is typically very fast, and very friendly. They truly take care of their patrons. Fantastic! I usually order mostly vegetarian options, but there's also a couple meaty ones I enjoy. My favorites are: - Edamame ((duh)) - Gom-ae ((spinach)) salad - Veggie Crunch roll - Tamago ((egg omelet)) nigiri - Asparagus beef roll ((thin sliced beef rolled will asparagus and broiled with teriyaki sauce)) - Chicken teriyaki I only wish I worked in Itasca more often, as I was a regular back in the day. The food is good, the service is friendly, and my non-fish eating needs are always met. Hirano always leaves me full, happy, and ready to face the afternoon back at work.
(4)
Joe I.
"Hi, I'd like to make an order for pick-up." That is how I usually order from here (last night included.) Typically I'm ordering a 'sushi deluxe' or a steak teriyaki if I eat for dinner, but the lunch boxes are a good option for lunch. Been going here for 10 years or so, and have never had a bad meal. After picking up my order, I basically inhale everything. I was going to take a picture of my order and post it last night, but I couldn't put the chopsticks down! By the time I was done, I was still thinking about taking a picture of the empty containers, but decided against it... The little salad that comes with the hot dishes is a nice contrast (has a tart vinaigrette dressing) to the other food ordered...I just wish it came with the sushi dishes also! I am definitely a fan of this place!
(4)
Jessica M.
The best sushi in the area. I've been looking for a go-to sushi spot for lunch and I think goldilocks finally found her favorite! The sushi rolls are fresh and delicious. Despite the prices being a bit higher than I'm used to (I miss myself a nice 3-roll special with salad/soup for $9.99) I will be back. It's adjacent to a hotel so I was expecting the prices to be higher anyway.
(4)
Matt S.
Eat here! You won't be sorry. I have never been moved to write a review for a restaurant before. Yelp has helped me find so many great out of the way places. I feel that I owe the Yelp community a positive review of this great place to eat. It is a little out of place tucked in next to the Westin and a little hard to find. My coworker and I went for dinner while on a business trip. He was a little concerned as they weren't too busy. I imagine they cater to more of a corporate lunch crowd. Honestly had I not read the reviews I probably would have driven right by and that would have been a mistake. The miso was much more flavorful than I am accustomed. I'm thinking it might not be a more traditional recipe but it is the best I've ever had. The salad was crisp. The sushi was fresh and as good as my favorite local joint. The "Westin" roll was explosively flavored. My friend had a teriyaki seafood that he said was fantastic. The service was friendly and accommodating and the restaurant was very comfortable. If you are tired of eating mediocre chain restaurant food and want something prepared with care and pride, this is the place for you.
(5)
M k.
I went to Hirano because I was in Itasca on business and staying at the Westin. I ordered several pieces of sushi, miso soup and tea. It was a Saturday, and the place with the exception of a large party from a meeting at the Westin was empty. My green tea was cold, and was not refilled, although I am sure I could have gotten more had I asked. The sushi came and I was surprised that for each order, I only received one piece. The prices were rather high for one piece but I understand frugality. I finished my meal, and left paying somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 dollars for 4 pieces of Nigiri and 2 rolls. This place is in no way a bargain, and the fish while alright, certainly not poison, costs a premium price. Although I expected the meal to be high, what this being a hotel restaurant. The check for a snack at Hirano's would have gotten me a steak at Shula's on the same property. Unless you really cant stomach the idea of calling out from the hotel, and steak or the room service is not your thing. I would have to say avoid this place, it is nothing to write home about.
(2)
Doug P.
Great food, really friendly staff. No waiting at night since lunch seems to be their busy time. I've been eating here for over 10 years, is an awesome place to eat.
(5)
Ingo W.
Went for dinner and was extremely disappointed in the food and service. There was nobody in the place yet the wait staff was inattentive. We ordered a mix of nigiri and sashimi and most of the fish tasted like it was barely unfrozen and possibly old. The Salmon Skin hand roll on the other hand was very tasty.
(2)
Tony C.
Hirano remodeled last year and was sold to a Korean owner. I'm not fish monger, but I just can't pay city prices for a Korean dude to cut my fish in the NW burbies. So what you're left here is boring gaijin food cooked with mediocrity. they have cool lil gratis fried tempura flakes to go. I never understood the concept but hey! people seem to love it. There is also a full bar since it is officially a "hotel restaurant". the fish shioyaki plates are mostly overly cooked using half decent fish. you'd have to put a gun to my head to make me order teriyaki anything from any Japanese restaurant so no comment on that. As far as pricing goes, let's just say the lunch menu went up quite a lot since the remodeling. We come here for lunch for variety in case Tensuke/Mitsuwa gets really boring.
(2)
Ron W.
Well I eat here a lot. (close to work). And I have seen it grow over the years. I only order certain items there but I like the sushi and the fried oyster dish the best. The staff knows me so they are very friendly and the owner always talks to me. If you catch it right the salmon is just awesome! I have eaten there over 30 times and I have always enjoyed the meal. Some of the lunch special are actually a good bargains. Bottom line, they always take care of me and for that I give it 4 Stars!!
(4)
B S.
Fair.....Services is ok and the sushi was somewhat fresh. The rice was under cooked which surprising but over all it was ok.
(3)
Kevin C.
Went here for dinner last week and it was good. The portions are a bit smaller than I would expect. I ordered the sashimi combo 16 pieces and tempura appetizer. Seemed like the sashimi was half the size of normal slices. Usually they're rectangular, but the pieces looked triangular in shape so I'm not sure. The two ladies were very friendly and nice although they did forget my tempura appetizer order but rushed to get it out once I reminded them. The tempura batter was light and the sauce was delicious as well, fish tasted fresh. Place is not great place to take friends from out of town but reminds me of a local run business with minimal decor.
(3)
Jeff W.
I like this place quite a bit. They book most of their business with the lunch crowd so this allows me to have dinner in a relaxed and quiet restaurant. The staff is very friendly and accomodative. I find the prices to be a bit lower than I would expect for this type of quality and ambiance. After dinner I take my son for glass elevator rides in the Westin hotel that is connected to this building.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : 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 : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Danny Y.
Steps away from my office, this place is a hidden gem that went unnoticed for far too long! Cant blame me though, the restaurant isn't in the most visible of places. In fact, I wonder if they even get customers outside of the usual office workers and hotel stayers. In any case, their rolls are decent, with one dish standing out in particular... that's the RED TRIANGLES. Sounds weird, but trust me when I say it's very delicious! It's basically spicy tuna (?) over pan-fried rice, add a little bit of hot sauce. The end result is a slightly crunchy, fire of goodness. Definitely worth a try, just don't expect to get full off of one order as it's only 4 tiny bite sized pieces. Verdict: Great because it's convenient, but not quite deserving of raving reviews.
(4)Jeff S.
Great food and very quick service.
(4)Scott D.
This place is good and I will go back but I don't think it is Japanese owned anymore. A lot of the items have a Korean theme which is fine but I know why the Japanese people I work with don't frequent anymore.
(3)KtMila F.
Wonderful. I live most of the year on the west coast, so im accustomed to very fresh seafood/sushi. Although I visit Chicago often I typically stay astray from their sushi. Iv never been impressed with it, Chicago is a much more buger/deep dish pizza kind of place. I checked into the Westin hotel in itasca and soon noticed the Japanese restaurant attached! (Yes, you dont even have to walk outside). :) . I was skeptical but went ahead and went in anyways. I was impressed. Its a very down to earth looking place but the service is impecable and the food was the same. Fresh, delicious, and brought in a timely manner. My cup was never empty and I left feeling very satisfied.
(5)Eric W.
Skip it. Sushi is overpriced for what you get. Was traveling on business and this was convenient, but I will not return.
(2)Nicole M.
I decided to try Hirano because it's close to my house. I placed an order to pickup for a few miso soups and three rolls, on a Sat night around 7:20 pm. I was told 20-25 minutes. Got there and had to wait a half hour. It took 50 minutes total! I was not happy. The miso soups were in little containers, hardly half of what you'd get in a bowl, which I thought was skimpy. The rolls were just OK. The Dynamite roll was good, but Boston and Spicy Tuna were the just OK rolls. I had asked for the Dynamite not to be fried and they fried it anyway, which accounted for about 5 of the 50 minutes I waited. Will probably not go back, given there are many other places that are better.
(3)Anita J.
Love the chicken teriyaki lunch combo :-)
(5)Bryan J.
This place is just ok i would say average at best. Since it is located in Itasca you will not have many places to choose from!
(2)Rawlins R.
I work in the building that Hirano is located so it is nice to have an in house Japanese restaurant only an elevator ride away. The service here is fantastic and the food follows in suit. We are always greeted happily and served promptly. I have gotten a lot of different things on the menu here and I have not been disappointed. They are accommodating and understanding of your tastes and will remember certain things you do or don't like. When I want to stay in and get some good Japanese food I am glad that I have Hirano as an option.
(4)Tom C.
This place use to be great awhile back when Mr. Hirano and his wife owned it. Now the quality is not as good.
(3)Veronica B.
As far as sushi places go its pretty standard. The service however was a little disappointing. It took forever to get my rolls & then she never came back till she gave me the bill. No offer to refill tea or anything like that. The food its self was fresh. I had them add masago to my rolls which made it better. If you live in the area & looking for a local fix it will do the trick but i wouldn't drive out of my way for this place. It's hard to find, pricey & service is less then ok.
(2)B R.
Very disappointing...the food, the service, prices, basically everything! My husband, daughter and I went on a Friday night....we were the only people there which should have been a sign to leave. We won't be back and I felt compelled to share my dissatisfaction so others won't make the same mistake!!
(1)Rose D.
I absolutely love Hirano. I work in the same building as them and have been dining here almost weekly for the past five years. Their lunch specials offer a fantastic quality of sushi at a fantastic price. However, the best part of the restaurant is the staff. They always greet me with a smile, ask about my children and even gave me the most beautiful part of chopsticks for Christmas. I can't recommend the service or food high enough. Thank you, Hirano, for years worth of delicious lunches!
(5)Alyska B.
My traveling companion and I are staying at the Westin next door, and we're looking for gluten-free dinner options last night. We spotted this place across the parking lot and thought we'd give it a shot. In my years as a gluten-free foodie, I've found that in eating out, unless a restaurant specifically caters to the GF crowd, your two safest cuisines are generally Mexican and Japanese. In the former, avoid flour tortillas, and the latter, avoid noodles and wheated soy. This means MOST sushi is a-ok, aside from eel, inari, or any of the specials with eel sauce. You can bring your own GF soy sauce (tamari) from home, or many restaurants are starting to carry it. When we arrived last night, aside from one other duo, the restaurant was empty. There was the sushi chef and two female hostess/waitress types. They were helpful...almost to the point of rushing us. We asked for water to start, and they took away the drink menus before we even had a chance to open them. I'm not sure if they were bored or what, but two people fussing over my table every two minutes leaves me feeling a bit anxious, even if it's well-intentioned. We ordered nigiri and a couple of rolls. They were tasty, but nothing super-special. The fish was fresh, good, and prices were only slightly more than those in our hometown of Madison, WI. Overall, it was a solid, tasty meal, and a nice alternative to the prices I'm used to looking at on hotel restaurant or room service menus. I'll likely stop back if I stay at the Westin again, but I wouldn't go out if my way to eat here otherwise.
(3)Adam H.
Sushi was excellent !! The Kamakazi , and red point sushi was fantastic !!! Service was very good. Extremely friendly. Walking distance from Westin. Great Saki selection . Would absolutely go again !
(4)Renee I.
Had a taste for sushi on a Monday and decided to go to Hirano because I was meeting somebody at the Westin. They say you shouldn't go to a sushi rest. on Monday because the fish is from Saturday (Sunday being the day the fish market is closed) and not fresh. There are a lot of sushi places closed on Mondays and that's why. Well, the fish was less than outstanding and the rice was a little old tasting and my tuna was stringy. The salmon roe was just okay and not fresh. On the plus side, the staff (with the exception of the sushi chef) was very friendly, there is a sake list and a wine list and I found a combination sushi plate on the menu, which is how I like to order. I would go back there but not on a Monday. When we left at about 7:45 the place was still mostly empty. Their prices are quite reasonable but then I guess you get what you pay for.
(2)David T.
Food was delicious and the staff was friendly and attentive. The sushi portions were about the size I would expect but the prices were definitely higher than what I'm used to in Florida. Seems about par for the northeast. Appetizer came out last which was a little strange but it was all so good that I didn't care!
(4)J B.
The food is fine and not the reason why I'm giving them a low rating. I understand that sushi restaurants have a tendency to be slow, but this one is the worst I've seen. My first experience was eating at the restaurant with another co-worker. One of us ordered the box lunch and I ordered the sushi lunch special. After waiting for 45 minutes, we asked where our lunch was and was told it was coming right away. After another 10 minutes, we asked and were given the same response. After another 5 minutes, we had to get back to the office and asked for them to put it in to-go boxes since we had to get back to the office. They treated this as an inconvenience and it took another 10 minutes to get us our food to-go. They offered no concessions, which I thought was completely inappropriate, considering our box lunch was soggy and cold by the time we got back to the office. The second time, I walked in and ordered their lunch special to-go. I waited for over 1/2 hour and asked when I could expect my order. I was told another 10 minutes. After 15 minutes, I asked again and was told that it was coming right away. I finally left after another 5 minutes. I believe part of the issue with this place is that there's a huge communication gap with the hostess. I can tell she struggles with the language, but I don't think this is an excuse to tell me 'another 10 minutes' every time I ask a question about where my food is. I worked in foodservice for 10 years so I am probably more patient than most when it comes to service. However, I have no patience for waitstaff who can't make commitments to fix issues when they occur and then make no apologies for that. I am disappointed that this place has such bad service, since it is so convenient to my work and there's no other sushi place close by. I'll purchase sushi off of a grocery store shelf before I go here again.
(1)anonymous y.
Great sushi! Awesome customer service! The green tea ice cream is freaking incredible! One star off because the service is somewhat slow.
(4)Jennifer S.
While attending a seminar at the Westin this week, I decided to try something new. Hirano was my new this week! Good choice! Small with some inviting decor, swift waitresses and delicious food will bring me back again soon. It was kinda weird to eat in here alone, so I will either bring a friend or do carryout. It was busy on a Wednesday afternoon. But I still had great service. Gyoza. Hopefully I got that right. Better than a potsticker. This was a crispy treat! I opted for a simple chicken teriyaki lunch special. A beautiful layout of chicken with large, flavorful (and colorful) salad arrived with a side of rice sprinkled with some Japanese seasoning. The rice seasoning was different and unique to me, but it was good. The green tea has caffeine, so I didn't try it. It smelled good though. Served a lovely lunch by some stellar servers...I'll head in again soon!
(4)Howard B.
Taking my life in my hands having sushi in the Midwest, but my craving rules tonite! This restaurant is situated in what appears to be the Westin Hotel parking lot. I only spotted it out of the corner of my eye, excited to see an alternative to Shula's at the Westin. A small but inviting place with a wide selection of sake as well as sushi, sashimi, and rolls. I ordered the Snow roll with King Crab and it was OK. Very authentic Japanese restaurant I will try again as it promises more than I was able to try this time.
(3)Cristie F.
You would never know there was a quaint and authentic little sushi restaurant, smack dab in the middle of the Westin Itasca hotel. When I'm out working in our Itasca office, Hirano is usually one of my favorite lunch spots. Authentic in their Japanese cuisine, they use fresh and flavorful ingredients. In the 5+ years of eating lunch here, I've yet to be disappointed. The restaurant is fairly small and can get busy during the lunch rush. Service is typically very fast, and very friendly. They truly take care of their patrons. Fantastic! I usually order mostly vegetarian options, but there's also a couple meaty ones I enjoy. My favorites are: - Edamame ((duh)) - Gom-ae ((spinach)) salad - Veggie Crunch roll - Tamago ((egg omelet)) nigiri - Asparagus beef roll ((thin sliced beef rolled will asparagus and broiled with teriyaki sauce)) - Chicken teriyaki I only wish I worked in Itasca more often, as I was a regular back in the day. The food is good, the service is friendly, and my non-fish eating needs are always met. Hirano always leaves me full, happy, and ready to face the afternoon back at work.
(4)Joe I.
"Hi, I'd like to make an order for pick-up." That is how I usually order from here (last night included.) Typically I'm ordering a 'sushi deluxe' or a steak teriyaki if I eat for dinner, but the lunch boxes are a good option for lunch. Been going here for 10 years or so, and have never had a bad meal. After picking up my order, I basically inhale everything. I was going to take a picture of my order and post it last night, but I couldn't put the chopsticks down! By the time I was done, I was still thinking about taking a picture of the empty containers, but decided against it... The little salad that comes with the hot dishes is a nice contrast (has a tart vinaigrette dressing) to the other food ordered...I just wish it came with the sushi dishes also! I am definitely a fan of this place!
(4)Jessica M.
The best sushi in the area. I've been looking for a go-to sushi spot for lunch and I think goldilocks finally found her favorite! The sushi rolls are fresh and delicious. Despite the prices being a bit higher than I'm used to (I miss myself a nice 3-roll special with salad/soup for $9.99) I will be back. It's adjacent to a hotel so I was expecting the prices to be higher anyway.
(4)Matt S.
Eat here! You won't be sorry. I have never been moved to write a review for a restaurant before. Yelp has helped me find so many great out of the way places. I feel that I owe the Yelp community a positive review of this great place to eat. It is a little out of place tucked in next to the Westin and a little hard to find. My coworker and I went for dinner while on a business trip. He was a little concerned as they weren't too busy. I imagine they cater to more of a corporate lunch crowd. Honestly had I not read the reviews I probably would have driven right by and that would have been a mistake. The miso was much more flavorful than I am accustomed. I'm thinking it might not be a more traditional recipe but it is the best I've ever had. The salad was crisp. The sushi was fresh and as good as my favorite local joint. The "Westin" roll was explosively flavored. My friend had a teriyaki seafood that he said was fantastic. The service was friendly and accommodating and the restaurant was very comfortable. If you are tired of eating mediocre chain restaurant food and want something prepared with care and pride, this is the place for you.
(5)M k.
I went to Hirano because I was in Itasca on business and staying at the Westin. I ordered several pieces of sushi, miso soup and tea. It was a Saturday, and the place with the exception of a large party from a meeting at the Westin was empty. My green tea was cold, and was not refilled, although I am sure I could have gotten more had I asked. The sushi came and I was surprised that for each order, I only received one piece. The prices were rather high for one piece but I understand frugality. I finished my meal, and left paying somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 dollars for 4 pieces of Nigiri and 2 rolls. This place is in no way a bargain, and the fish while alright, certainly not poison, costs a premium price. Although I expected the meal to be high, what this being a hotel restaurant. The check for a snack at Hirano's would have gotten me a steak at Shula's on the same property. Unless you really cant stomach the idea of calling out from the hotel, and steak or the room service is not your thing. I would have to say avoid this place, it is nothing to write home about.
(2)Doug P.
Great food, really friendly staff. No waiting at night since lunch seems to be their busy time. I've been eating here for over 10 years, is an awesome place to eat.
(5)Ingo W.
Went for dinner and was extremely disappointed in the food and service. There was nobody in the place yet the wait staff was inattentive. We ordered a mix of nigiri and sashimi and most of the fish tasted like it was barely unfrozen and possibly old. The Salmon Skin hand roll on the other hand was very tasty.
(2)Tony C.
Hirano remodeled last year and was sold to a Korean owner. I'm not fish monger, but I just can't pay city prices for a Korean dude to cut my fish in the NW burbies. So what you're left here is boring gaijin food cooked with mediocrity. they have cool lil gratis fried tempura flakes to go. I never understood the concept but hey! people seem to love it. There is also a full bar since it is officially a "hotel restaurant". the fish shioyaki plates are mostly overly cooked using half decent fish. you'd have to put a gun to my head to make me order teriyaki anything from any Japanese restaurant so no comment on that. As far as pricing goes, let's just say the lunch menu went up quite a lot since the remodeling. We come here for lunch for variety in case Tensuke/Mitsuwa gets really boring.
(2)Ron W.
Well I eat here a lot. (close to work). And I have seen it grow over the years. I only order certain items there but I like the sushi and the fried oyster dish the best. The staff knows me so they are very friendly and the owner always talks to me. If you catch it right the salmon is just awesome! I have eaten there over 30 times and I have always enjoyed the meal. Some of the lunch special are actually a good bargains. Bottom line, they always take care of me and for that I give it 4 Stars!!
(4)B S.
Fair.....Services is ok and the sushi was somewhat fresh. The rice was under cooked which surprising but over all it was ok.
(3)Kevin C.
Went here for dinner last week and it was good. The portions are a bit smaller than I would expect. I ordered the sashimi combo 16 pieces and tempura appetizer. Seemed like the sashimi was half the size of normal slices. Usually they're rectangular, but the pieces looked triangular in shape so I'm not sure. The two ladies were very friendly and nice although they did forget my tempura appetizer order but rushed to get it out once I reminded them. The tempura batter was light and the sauce was delicious as well, fish tasted fresh. Place is not great place to take friends from out of town but reminds me of a local run business with minimal decor.
(3)Jeff W.
I like this place quite a bit. They book most of their business with the lunch crowd so this allows me to have dinner in a relaxed and quiet restaurant. The staff is very friendly and accomodative. I find the prices to be a bit lower than I would expect for this type of quality and ambiance. After dinner I take my son for glass elevator rides in the Westin hotel that is connected to this building.
(4)