National’s Cafe

Sit down and the Sushi chef says ‘Spicy Scallop handroll’ and I say ‘YES’ then under my breath I say ‘How did he know that?’ as if he can’t hear me I mean I’m at the bar for the Buddha Belly sitting next to me sake LOL and then realize I have only been coming here for over 12 years. Palm to forehead — of course I want a Spicy Scallop handroll that’s what I start off with at EVERY Sushi Place to see if they’re worthy duhhhhhhh! and of course he knows this because he knows everything I am going to order, what I like, what I don’t like, geezzzz he’s been seeing my husband and I before my husband and I knew each other LOL
Okay enough about the funny stuff, let’s get down to the food — right? right!!!
SENSATIONAL SUSHI in an unassuming small LITERALLY itty, bitty, tiny place. We have always been greeted with a friendly, AMAZING service and the fish well it’s FRESH and FANTABULOUS.
I actually choose to not rate sushi places on Unilocal because there are sooooo many that well let’s be honest folks all the fish in the Reno/​Carson/​Tahoe area you must know the fish is coming from the same place and if you think it’s not you are sadly mistaken. So truly you are rating the establishment and how quickly they are turning over the fish, pay attention to the quality of the fish, thinly slicing the fish, rolling the fish and if they actually know what they are doing — right? right?! AND THIS PLACE KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING — how else could they be around for as many years, not be opened on the weekends and treat us locals like I have stated above.
So what are you waiting for come in get to know them and once you do they will treat you to off the menu items that will melt in your mouth and NOT fall apart in your hand — yep I said it.

This is an awesome spot for sushi AND they’ve just added sake & beer to their menus! Great spot to grab take-​out, but cozy (and small) inside. Service is awesome. Sushi chef is friendly too, surprising us (sitting at bar) with «tastes.» This is a definite DON’T MISS if you love sushi.

The best Sushi! You’d never know it was here in Carson City. We live in Southern California and visit family in Gardnerville and Nationals is always a MUST stop when we are here. The guys are all great, the fish is fresh and not fishy. I always look forward to coming here with my family! I wish we lived closer

I absolutely love this place. My dad has been taking me here since I was 7 and I cannot get enough of their sushi. I wish they had a bigger place, but every time I’ve come there been seating available.

We usually go to Kai’s sushi but after a string of bad service we decided to try out National’s. It was not only cheaper ($ 38 for unlimited sushi for two) but it was more personal and the chef went above and beyond making us wonderful creations that he loved. I will not be going back to Kai’s seeing as its $ 50 for two unlimited sushi dinners and they do not seem to care nearly as much. However it is good to note that they are not open on the weekends per their door sign. :)

Very good sushi and excellent service. The only thing i would change is the size of the restaurant.

This one can fool alot of people by the outside, but it’s a diamond in the rough. The building used to be an old icecream shop! The chefs are very nice, quick and once you get to know them, they remember you and will sometimes give you a surprise for you to try. I love being a guinea pig for good sushi experimentation. This is my «go to» place when I want to do carry out.

So im in Carson City with my brother and he tells me he wants Sushi. After stumbling around in a parking lot with his cell trying to find an open Sushi place on a Monday he gives up and says «Thats it im just gonna eat what we have at home». And trust me the food at his house from the holidays has been incredible., but you can only eat turkey, ribeye, and ham so long. So we take off and im deflated, in more than just one way, about not getting to have sushi. So i decide to take the reigns. I call Nationals to see if there open… Viola. Ive been here so i know whats possible and the service is good and Sushi is fresh and Spicy cause thats the way my brother and i like it. Most people complain about the ambience, i understand but am not so snobby when it comes to fresh and tasty.

December 29, 2014: 1:30 PMish
It’s a cold day, a bit windy, bad news blowing in off the hospital walls, snow might happen tonight, who knows, no breakfast kind of hunger happening, and it’s been awhile since I’ve had sushi. Today, I’m with the right guy, my brother, as my wife does like Sushi, but doesn’t like the ‘all you can eat’ calorie fest that can happen.
It’s a Monday, and there are very few options open on a Monday, but National’s is among them.
I’ve seen this place before and the exterior appearance has been enough to scare me off, but my brother has been there, tells me it’s not bad, and that it would be a good stop. We walk in and it’s like I’m with Norm from Cheer’s. They know him, and I know him, and so now I’m not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. I don’t know what I was thinking; it was a very good thing.
There is seating for eight at the bar, and we are able to snag the last two seats. We tell them that we like spicy and fresh, and soon we had three rolls without ordering anything. Now, this might bother you, but, for me, it was a blessing. We loved them all. He asked if we were still hungry, and, if you knew us, you knew the answer… more food arrived.
«Do you have mussels?» I ask.
«Yes» was the answer, and how many do we want?
My brother asked for a particular favorite, and it was there moments later, and it was tasty, sort of a sweet desert mid-​meal.
Here’s the reader’s digest version of the meal today.
First, we thought everything was very fresh, and this is very important to me.
Second, we got our food in a very fast orderly process. This could have been because of their knowledge of my brother, but who knows. We did not have to wait for our food.
Third, they were all very friendly, and you gotta like that.
Fourth, lunch was only $ 15.50 per person, and I’m not sure how they can make any money at that price when folks like my brother and I walk in.
You might be wondering, «We’re there any problems?» I guess that depends on what you really want in a sushi restaurant. If you like fresh, fast, friendly, and affordable, No, there were no problems. If, like some of my Unilocaling brethren have identified, it is not the fanciest of places you may not like this place. It is a bit dark with pictures of the food on the wall to help you order.
So, it’s a four star place for me, and I’ll be back. They want ever call my name like my brother, but they’ll know me.

I love this place soooooooooooo much, but WHY must they be closed on the weekends!!! :(

Still the same food I remember. Small hole in the wall, but the chefs are extremely friendly. One benefit for me is that they are extremely accepting of small children.
When you walk in their walls are covered with sushis pictures — pretty typical of a sushi restaurant. You have the choice of sitting at the bar, or one of few tables they offer. Since we had our kids we sat at a table.
Service was quick, and definitely great. The sushi was perfectly colored, and the right texture. You can always tell when things say out too long, due to the increase in grittiness. Definitely didn’t have this problem here. The rolls have a nice Mexican flare, which is a great difference to most restaurants out here.
On top of that, the prices are right. Definitely a competitor in the sushi area.
Only complaint is that it was dimly lit, and had a weird smell. If it wasn’t for those two things, it would have been a ⁵⁄₅.

Great food teriyaki delicious

The AYCE concept is interesting — it’s ALL YOU CAN EAT, not ALL THE BEST FOOD YOU CAN EAT. So therefore, I rate this a sold 3 stars with the following notes:
Lunch was $ 15.50. Lots of choices for rolls, but noted that a lot that of the choices combined fish with cream cheese. Ew. Just. EWWWW.
I could only manage 3 specialty long rolls and one hand roll. None was outstanding in that HOLY SHITAKE! or Come To Jesus way, but it killed the hunger pangs all right. Unlike other places, you could order while you still had one or two pieces left — rolls were made quickly.
Ambience was breathtakingly bad. In an odd dive bar kind of way. I liked it. I like having a 99 cent fat buddha staring at me. I’m weird like that.
Come here if you are hungry and need to fill up the belly. Don’t seek the exotic.

Ok folks. Seriously. Do any of you EAT sushi for real? Sushi is supposed to be pretty, fresh and tasty. We came here only because Genghix Fusion was not open yet and had to get on to other stuff. Came one other time too because they were open on Sunday and no one else was. First impression. From first time coming was way too much deep fried!!!
Today’s impression. Although the tuna sashimi was fresh all ten pieces were maguro. I expected at least two to be hamachi. None. The presentation was half way. Served on lettuce. Tuna was flopped on top criss crossing every which way. No order to it. Many thin slices of lemon were a good idea but they were placed clumsily. They could have and should have taken more time. The miso soup that came with the sashimi was flavorless. The sunomono was super thick slices. Not right. Not right at all. I’ve been eating sushi since 1978, back in Los Angeles. I’ve seen some really good sushi. This was the worst. My husband could not even eat his scallop hand roll. The rice was sticky the wrap gooey and the whole thing fell apart.

This used to be my favorite place. But they use too much rice, too much crystal shrimp and their rolls are too big.
The chefs are extremely nice, and remember who you are and what you do and don’t like. Ask for some of the habanero sauce. And their egg rolls are awesome

Best place to get sushi in Carson!!! Good price for all you can eat.
Try the Nevada roll!!! Never tried anything like it, it was delicious!!!
The service was amazing and our sushi rolls kept coming out right after we finished the current one. haha
Cant wait to go back!!!

Best in Carson at the moment. Good price — better at lunch. Great Unique sushi’s. the Mexican owner and chef puts a great spin on spicy sushi.
–RibChamp

Don’t let the looks from the outside scare you! :)
I’ll start this review out by saying I’m NOT a sushi aficionado. I’m not one of those who happily boasts that all-​you-​can-​eat sushi places lose money on me. In fact, I rarely went to all-​you-​can-​eat prior to finding National’s, because I would only eat about 5 or 6 pieces and be done. When my husband would want all-​you-​can-​eat at a Minden restaurant, I’d make sure someone else went with us who loved sushi, and I’d order pad thai.
Not so, here.
I can’t get enough of it. Even the day after we go out for all-​you-​can-​eat, I want more the very next day and that is very rare for me. Yes, it’s small inside. Yes, the bathroom is inconveniently located outside. If you’re looking for something high-​end and fancy, this isn’t it. However, if you’re someone who’s not typically a huge sushi fan, this just might be the place for you. There’s a lot of cooked things, for those of us who are not into sashimi, but there’s also the raw stuff if that floats your boat. I like the different flavors and options, and admit that the dishes with crystal shrimp are my faves.
We’ve also had great experiences with the staff there. They’re always very accommodating, and will make us whatever specialties we ask for, including a garlicky baked oyster platter that was absolutely incredible! I think a lot of the attitude you get in smaller places like this is dependent upon the attitude you give. Go in with an open mind and you just might find a new place to love.

This is absolutely hands down the best sushi place in Carson.
It has the freshest fish, the fastest, nicest service, and the best prices (for all menu items and all-​you-​can-​eat sushi).
Do not let the outside of this little place fool you. The chefs here have a great deal of experience, having worked for Sushi Teri and Wasabi for years before starting and owning their own business. Their combined experience has to be at least 60 years if not more. No, maybe they don’t make «traditional» Japanese sushi, but what they do make is delicious and fun. I promise you, these three chefs know what they’re doing.
Unlike what the ONLY 1-​star poster said, the service is blazing fast, the sushi rice is cooked perfectly, and the rolls are made more expertly than anywhere else in this little town. I have never, ever seen anyone wait more than a minute, if that, for a roll. In fact, once they put so many rolls in front of me I had to beg their mercy and ask them to slow down! :D
I don’t get to come here often but I stop by whenever I’m in town and the chefs always remember me. The last few times I came in, they handed me my favorite roll as I was sitting down! It’s the first one I always order when I come in. They remembered that and actually started getting it ready when they saw me pull up. Considering I only stop by here every few months, I think that’s freaking impressive.
I watch how these guys interact with regulars and they’re always smiling and giving them «special» fun rolls and/​or sauces that are off-​menu. When they find out you like a particular fish, they’ll make you great off-​menu rolls with it. If you’re feeling adventurous, tell them what ingredients you like and say «surprise me!» I’ve done that and ALWAYS been happy with what they come up with for me.
Every time I come by, these working owners have have done something new and improved on the inside décor. These guys may be «quiet», but they are never ever rude, and maybe they don’t initially show a lot of «personality» but that’s because 1) it’s true, English is not their native language — not that it ever gets in the way of ordering — so they don’t talk a lot, and 2) they’re too busy making awesome sushi to put on a ridiculous show for pompous people who seem to want that instead of good food. They know most people who enter their doors want good sushi, fast. So they put their heads down and make it. What’s wrong with that.
Any customer with half a taste bud and a good heart can see these owners care very much about their restaurant, their sushi, and their customers. Which is more than I can say for any other sushi place in this town.
This place rocks and it’s my #1 choice for Carson, hands down.

Good place to grab some sushi when visiting the capital of Nevada, and I don’t know why you would visit Carson City except for???
Hahaha, well we were at Lake Tahoe and the wife and I decided to take a little drive and just visit Carson City to say «been there, done that»! Not knowing it was a good half an hour drive down to Carson City from South Lake Tahoe, so we ended up Unilocaling for some sushi place and the reviews were very accurate on this place.
The sushi was good and they offered all you can eat, which I couldn’t pass up since it will be another half hour to an hour drive back since it will snow that night. So better fill my tummy up with enough sushi to keep me warm. So I ordered the usual Philly roll, Spicy Tuna, Tempura roll, and some local rolls like Nevada roll, Fire roll and other rolls. I think I ate about $ 60 worth of sushi just myself and I only paid $ 18 for it!!!
It seems the locals come here too, which is a good sign, the chef pretty much knows most of his costumers usual order. The place needed more lighting and the bathroom was outside the restaurant, overall I would come back to this place again if I ever visit Carson City again for???