How Do You Roll?

Welp, another one bites the dust. Such a shame too, because the staff was really friendly. I saw that a burger joint is going in its place, which is just what San Marcos needs!

Here’s the short version: it’s like «subway» for sushi!
This place is great! Having just gone vegan and working out of town where I wasn’t sure what all there was to eat nearby, I turned to Unilocal and found this baby.
You can create your own sushi roll or pick from one of their menu items, all made fresh as you watch. As I understand it, each location has specialty rolls they create for their store. Also this location seems to offer a discount on Tuesdays as well as having a friendly staff. When I ordered my «Like a Vegan» roll the worker offered to hand cut my roll rather than using the machine that cuts all the rolls. Was super thoughtful and amazing of him.
Needless to say I’m totally loving this place and am here waaaaay too many times a week, but trust, it’s worth it!

The sushi was dry and not fresh. I thought I would give it a try since it is fairly new to san marcos, but have decided to never return. It is way overpriced and low quality!

Looking for sushi for lunch in San Marcos?
Whoa! Look! Look! Wow ~ Great Sushi found here! Came here for lunch the other day for some Fast-​Sushi instead of going to HEB and was Blown Away! HEB sushi Sucks… never going there for lunch again.
Everything was sooo Fresh and the staff was super friendly and helpful when decided what kind of roll to get.
I’m coming back to this place Fo’sho!

Alright so I had been totally against the entire concept of «Fast-​Food-​Sushi» until now. Holy Crap was this place good. I went with my roommate and we each used our campus coupons and got the buy 1 get 1 roll! DELISH. For the rather cheap price, the quality and quantity are not too shabby. I think these people are on to something genius. Another thing I really enjoyed, was that you were able to pick what you wanted in your roll all the way from the wrapping to the toppings! This location even has «local rolls» which are worth a shot as well! I will definitely be returning. yumms

I have quite a few dietary restrictions, so I thought build your own sushi would be perfect, since I’d have more control over what I ate. I had a terrible experience. I couldn’t eat the cooked meats or tofu, as they had seasoning I could not eat, but the fish looked terrible — like it had been sitting out for awhile. I even saw what looked like a a fly on the salmon.
Even though the fish didn’t look great, I selected the tuna. I had initially ordered 2 five piece rolls, thinking I’d have one with tofu and one with tuna. But since the tofu was seasoned, I ended up getting tuna on both rolls. One little strip of tuna on each roll is all they gave me — I’m not sure in total I got even 2 oz of protein. I had to fight to get 2 small pieces of asparagus on one roll instead of 1 piece (which apparently is normal) even though I hadn’t asked for the max number of veggies allowed (which is 3). Really weenie rolls.
But what really angered me is that the server charge me for 2 five piece rolls, which is more expensive than getting 1 ten piece roll. This doesn’t seem right to me since I ended up getting tuna on both rolls and did not ask for the max amount of veggies on one side. I feel like I was taken advantage of and, for what I got, the price was really not worth it.

I have always been very fond of How Do You Roll, even before it came to San Marcos. I think the concept behind this restaurant is very cool, and I like being able to make my own roll, but there are definitely some weaknesses.
The biggest issue that I’ve noticed is that things are getting more expensive and portions are getting smaller. Where I used to be able to get a decently sized roll for about $ 7, I can now get the same roll with more thinly sliced veggies and less protein for about $ 8 – 9. It’s not a huge change, but it’s enough to turn me off to eating here, especially when there are plenty of other sushi places in town that are either more affordable or better quality (or both). The quality is not enough to justify the price.
Edit: I’m changing my rating from 3 to 2 stars. They’ve been doing facebook offers, which send an email with instructions «take this email to How Do You Roll? and show it to the staff from your phone or in print.» Unfortunately, they will not honor the coupon unless it is in print, even though it says on the coupon that you can bring it in on your phone. Apparently they’ve been «having problems with them», and that’s why they won’t accept the phone offer. To me, it’s just a way to get people into the store and then make them pay full price. I think my days of eating at How Do You Roll? are over.

Good American sushi place!
I lived in Japan for a year, so I’m a little picky (haha) but the only items that I really don’t like are the miso soup, cucumber salad, and tamago. They are really easy to make, so it’s a little sad that they taste so bland.
Annnnnd…lol, I know this is because I studied Japanese… but I mean… it would be so nice if they pronounced tamago («tah-​mah-​go») correctly. ;)

The last time I came here my rice was crunchy and under cooked on the inside, and mushy and over cooked on the outside. The employees were super nice, like always, but you can’t forgive sushi with bad rice. And the rice was really bad.
I still like that it’s something different available in this college town, though. And it’s still better than the veggie rolls at HEB.
I’m so conflicted.

I am totally in love with the one in Austin, so I was extremely excited that one has arrived in San Marcos.
My favorite part is that you get to make your own roll as crazy as you want. I’m a big fan of fruit in rolls and they have this strawberry sauce that is pure perfection.
Only complaint is no punchcard at this location and the condiment station is lacking the sweet soy sauce that the Austin location has.
I got two ten piece rolls for 11 $! Winning.

Love how they are very attentive to food allergies here. They have gluten free items on the menu. Love the food. Te only reason it gets 4 and not 5 stars is bc I find it a little pricey! But over all love it and will come back for sure!

I had lunch here the other day and I was impressed. The quality was pretty good, the menu is great and you can create your own sushi. Love the concept. Sides were good. I was a little worried about how fresh the food would be — but I had nothing to worry about. If you want really fresh, high quality sashimi — go to Austin. If you want a yummy healthy lunch, come here.
The price was very reasonable and I will be back! My only complaint — RECYCLE! This place throws away a ton of recyclable plastic.

Really like it. Kinda pricey though. They were very attentive to my wife’s needs when selecting her sushi roll

Disappointing.
I waited until my third visit to update this review, and it’ll stay at two stars. My roll had a few more veggies than last time, but the automatic roll cutter thing messed up my roll, kinda squishing it so that it wasn’t in roll form but in ten «chunks». The manager just said oh well, and handed it to me, no apology or anything. Also, she gave me an attitude when I tried to calculate the price of me and a friend’s meal (I was unaware that a topping he added cost $ 2.50 and as I tried to add the prices together in my head — two rolls & two drinks = $ 19) she asked «What is the problem?» in a very annoyed tone, as if I shouldn’t question anything.
Anyways, the food was just ok, and the employees are nice with the exception of the manager. The automatic roll cutter doesn’t quite cut the rolls right, and if you are worried about cross contamination, they don’t clean it between rolls. They have a restroom, but it is outside and the key never works to open it.
Good concept that needs work. Maybe I’ll try again someday when there is somewhere to park my bike.

Today was the second day HDYR was open and we decided to give it a try. I like the way it works, you pick your wrapping (seaweed or soy) then three veggies (or more for .50 each) and your meat then toppings and sauce. I had the seaweed with white rice, asparagus, cucumber, avocado, and spicy tuna topped with sesame seeds. It was pretty good, the only «complain» is that the rice is pre pressed and it was a little too packed for me.

WIN.
I was fortunate enough to find out about the VIP promo/​soft opening of the How Do You Roll? in San Marcos today and only 10 minutes after that, I was in line for a make-​your-​own sushi roll.
This concept of creating a customized roll is just genius. You begin with choosing your wrap (seaweed or soy paper), rice (white or brown) and then you add in the veggies & meats/​seafood and top it off with sauces then taaadaaaaa — your perfect sushi roll is ready to go!
My concoction of the day started off with seaweed & white rice and was filled with asparagus, cucumber, avocado, cream cheese and crab topped off with sesame seeds, crab mix and spicy mayo.
Since this is a no judgement zone, I am going to go ahead and let you know that I also tried the edamame — fresh and hot, a cup of miso soup — cold but I know they were super busy & the cucumber salad — fresh & crunchy but a very small portion! I assume all of these kinks will be fixed very soon — I mean I was there the day before their official opening.
Employees were very friendly and gracious from making my sushi roll to coming around and asking if there was anything they could get our table!
Of course this is not one of those fu-​fu Austin places where a single piece of raw tuna is $ 30 & the highest quality ever but it’s a delicious, fresh, friendly & fast sushi joint which makes me and my tummy VERY happy!
Ecstatic doesn’t even begin to describe my joy that there is finally 5 star sushi in San Marcos. I’m probably going to join their high roller club by the end of the summer: X