Sakura Cafe

OMG! My teen will ONLY eat take out or eat in here. We can't order anywhere else for her because she only trust them! Manty is so sweet and everyone in there always has it clean, fresh and prepared your food where you can see it! When she sees us pull up it's like we made her day! More places should take notes on how to run a business from Sukura in Hazel Green! Seriously

Setting expectations clear since the reviews threw me off. This place is more of a takeout location, lots of options for sushi and chinese food, quick, and definitely more fast food style.
I stopped by for lunch since I was in the area and the reviews were fantastic. I ordered the gyoza and Sakura roll which had a bit of an odd description and turned out to be a combo and not a full roll. So the gyoza is deep fried instead of pan fried, decent taste but yeah more like fast food.
The "roll" was actually a small salmon roll with a side of salmon and tuna sashimi rolled like flowers. The fish tasted fresh, which is a huge plus in this area because that's been a problem at other places I've tried. Unfortunately the rice and seaweed were not great, so it turned out a bit chewy.
The food came on styrofoam plates you toss out. You order and pick up at the counter, and they have clorox wipes available at all the tables.

Fresh and quick, good service, but not great sushi all around.

How on earth is this even rated 4 stars???? The only thing dare I say that was average was the California roll. This is definitely the worst Japanese style food I've ever had. Chicken & beef teriyaki had no taste the meat was dry and both the chicken and beef look like they are pre-made maybe even already cooked and then they just dump gobes of sauce on it like a Swanson meal. My wife took one bit of her chicken udon noodle plate said the broccoli tasted like fish and didn't eat another bite. Now there is an art to fried rice and it's difficult to find good fried rice. But theirs is below average. Anybody can take rice dump soy sauce all over it and say here's fried rice. If if I only had spent $29 and not $129 probably could care less. But 4 different entrees 3 different sushi rolls and 6 different people all said it wasn't good. Which makes me seriously question how this place has 4 stars, yelp seems to be a poor resource.

I went there tonight on highway 431/231 Meridianville Al. The food was to salty but I didn't complain. I ate a little then got a to go box after paying almost 16.00. As I was leaving they had a bowl of dum dum suckers so I took some for my grandbabies the girl I guess the owner jumped up and said no no that's too many. I got 4 of them. I left went to my car and thought really omg! I went back in and put them back in the bucket and said I will buy my own dum dum suckers. sad to lose Two customers over a 2 cent suckers. That was so rude and embarrassing. will not be supporting their restaurant again

Stopped in for a light lunch. The thought of a Japanese cafe in Hazel Green Alabama seemed weird enough to intrigue us.
The food was surprisingly good. I wouldn't mistake it for Kyoto, but it was tasty. Wide range of hibachi /teppanyaki meals, tempura as well as nigiri and rolls. Gyoza was quite good. As you might expect most of the rolls involved eel, shrimp or squid, either in simple rolls or in the ornate constructions Americans prefer. Given we're in a small town in Northern Alabama, it was pleasant.
The hostess/ owner was very nice. They must be doing something right, they've been there 9 years.
The problem is their dine-in facilities are intolerable. It was 90 degrees inside! I wouldn't go there to dine unless it's winter. Feel bad for the owners.

Good price, good food... the ambiance is much like any tiny restaurant that wants you to enjoy the food, but not loiter over it, staff was efficient.

My husband and I's favorite restaurant in the area since we moved to Hazel Green! In the past five years, we have not found anything we didn't like! The owners are SO friendly and food is always tasty and fresh! Call ins on Friday and Saturday nights can be up to 45 minutes - 1 hour, but it's always well worth the wait! This place is a must try! We try and visit once a week!

They are always quick especially with pickup orders. Food is wonderful and always fresh! Great employees, always super friendly!

I cannot recommend this place enough. It is the only Japanese place I will eat anymore around here. I hold everyone else to their standards on all playin fields in the (not from the USA food) ball field.
Yum yum sauce 10/10
Hibachi steak 10/10
Fried rice 10/10
Alabama roll 10/10
Dumplings 10/10
The joy I get eating there 10/10

Let me put it this way. I tend to eat pretty bouchée throughout the week. It's not uncommon for me to go on a Connors binge for a week strait. We're talking high dollar meals here folks.

BUT....

Since I discovered Sakuras in Meridianville I no longer fall for those foolish desires. A quick swipe of the card at 14$ and some change gets me a full stomach and enough money left over for a quick trip to the beer store.

Outstanding little Japanese steakhouse. I've never dinned in, but frequently get takeout. The food is always good and it's nice to be able to change it up and get sushi when I feel like it.