Review: Choo Choo Moving Sushi Bar

S Voss Location Frontage

A number of years ago (back in the Nutty 1990s) I was in Vancouver, BC and visited a 2nd Floor Sushi Bar on Robson Street (the name escapes my memory at this writing) that was different from the usual--it had a conveyor belt and moved.   You didn't get up to get your rolls, the rolls moved past and the attendants marked what you took off of it on your ticket.  Someone I know also visited a similar places later on in Adelaide, Australia and in London, UK.  While the quality of the sushi varied, the conveyor belt and the moving bar was something unique and seems great for those who want the buffet experience without having to get up and go get the food or wait on a server to bring your food to you.

Views from our Spot

This concept has come to Houston in 3 local Choo-Choo Moving Sushi Bars.  The first ones opened in Houston and in Humble, both on FM 1960, around 2010.  The Voss location in SW Houston opened up a month or so ago.    While not all of their dishes are on the moving sushi bar, they have the moving sushi bar menu items color coded for price ranging from $1.50 a plate up to $4 a plate (based on the type of sushi). Yellow is the least expensive at $1.50. Edimame and simple rolls are on the yellow plates. The most expensive is the orange plate at $4.00. These are going to be the more complicated rolls that have tuna and salmon. When you are ready to check out, server will tally you up according to the color codes of plates. Also, if there's something you don't see "moving" on the bar, you can order it.  Sounds pretty simple and worth a try.

This video is from their own website--just to give you an idea:


What was nice about this was the fact that you didn't have to wait for someone to cut and bring the sushi to you.  Although I have had some experiences where the food on the moving sushi bar was not fresh, I did not find that to be the case here. For one there were a lot of patrons visiting this evening.  For another the Sushi staff was cutting from the visible kitchen area and adding to/removing from the moving bar as it went around.  A very efficient system in fact.

Among the sushi we tried included the Volcano Roll (baked spicy crawfish atop a California Roll), the Hot Red Dragon (Spicy fish roll atop tuna with hot sauce and chili powder), The Lobster Roll, the black pepper tuna, the shaggy dog (Shrimp tempura with cucumber topped with Kana), California Roll, and Smoked Salmon sashimi.  We also had Red Bean Ice Cream and Cheesecake for dessert.

(l to r) Lobster Roll, Hot Red Dragon Roll $4.00 each plate

All of the Sushi was fresh and very tasty, though I did not find the dishes labeled spicy to be as such.  But then again, I am used to eating much spicier food, so all being relative it was probably fine.  Much of the sushi was fairly standard--it was quite good  There were no nasty surprises, but nothing that blew me away either.

Kitchen Views, and Kid Friendly Sushi

What did impress me was that the staff was very friendly, very attentive and were diligent about refilling hot green tea, iced green tea and other beverages.  They were also very nice with my 2 kids and set up my 7 year old son with a set up chopstick helpers.  That and the moving bar were very strong hooks that will definitely bring us back.  The kitchen was also quite visible, very clean and the staff was working and taking care of the items on the bar.

One thing to watch out for:  how much you eat.  The moving buffet where you can grab what you want as you pass is VERY CONVENIENT.  However, it also makes it VERY EASY to rack up your tab real fast. Sushi is meant to be savoured, not over consumed or to be pigged out on, so keep that in mind when you come eat here.

I think next time I will go to the menu and try some items that you have to wait on.  They have Udon, Yaki Soba and other noodles with different meats and veggies, as well as Teriyaki and Hibachi combo meals.  I'd consider this a good and safe place for a Sushi novice to visit, and definitely a family friendly place as well.  I'd not recommend this place for Sushi snobs however.  But you know what--it's okay.  Houston has plenty of great Sushi places to satisfy Sushi pro's, snobs and novices, and that's what's so great about our fair city.

The Foodie Professor's Report Card for 
Choo-Choo Moving Sushi Bar:
Food:  B+
Service:
     Speed:  A (drink refills & non-moving-bar items handled by wait staff)
     Friendliness: A+
Cleanliness:
     Dining Area & Kitchen: A
     Men's Room:  B-
Atmosphere:  A-

Overall Grade:  B+

Choo-Choo Moving Sushi bar has 3 locations in the Greater Houston Area. We went to the location at:

1675 S Voss (at San Felipe)
Houston, TX  77063
713-783-1368

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. -10:30 p.m.
Sunday: noon-9 p.m.

And Remember:

Eat Happy!
Zao an, Y'all!