Sushi Takahashi

Sushi Takahashi website

Location: Downtown Portland

Price to fill up two people: $14.50This place proves that great sushi doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, the bill was so low that we pulled out the menus and added everything up again, certain the waiter had shortchanged himself. He hadn’t; we paid $14.50 for a VERY filling and tasty sushi dinner for two people.

About two blocks away from the new Contemporary Crafts Museum (who recommended the place), this place is so, er, unpretentious that I almost didn’t go in. You sign in, wait for the hostess to call your name (it’ll take awhile) and when she does she’ll tell you to go find a seat. You have your choice of the traditional “food goes by on a train” sushi counter or a few little threadbare booths at the back.The waiter was friendly but brisk, explanations non-existent, so…we pretty much closed our eyes and ordered. Sushi Takahashi is a charge-by the plate deal, and the plates start at somewhere between 75 cents and $1.50 each, depending on when you show up. We ordered spicy tuna roll, tamago, unagi, salmon, futomaki, asparagus roll, and a house specialty called “cho-cho,” which turned out to be nori-wrapped fresh salmon and tuna hash and was my favorite. Don’t go for the ambience, but definitely show up for the food.Tip: The sushi’s great, so stick with it, no matter what else goes by on the train…