Mystery Diner in Fox River Grove: New restaurant serves up truly amazing sushi

It’s not often you’re truly blown away by a new restaurant.

That was the case, though, when I grabbed lunch with a co-worker recently at Susie Sushi, a new sushi place that opened late last year in Fox River Grove.

Located right on Route 14, the restaurant offers a small patio; a dimly lit, comfortable interior; and some of the best sushi I have ever had. Truly, ever.

Because we were there for lunch, we were able to take advantage of the lunch special, which is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed Mondays, and operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, according to its website.

The lunch specials offer a choice of miso soup or the house salad, along with a selection of rolls.

The regular special costs $11.95 for two rolls, $13.95 for three rolls, $15.95 for two rolls and four pieces of sushi or sashimi or three rolls and two pieces sushi or sashimi, or $16.95 for eight pieces of sushi or sashimi and one roll. Among the nearly 20 rolls offered at this price point are tuna, salmon, California, Philadelphia and spicy kani rolls, as well as five pieces of a few rolls like the Boston or shrimp tempura.

The signature special costs $25 for two rolls, $35 for three rolls, $31 for two rolls and four pieces of sushi or sashimi, and $39 for three rolls and two pieces of sushi and sashimi. Among the rolls included are the mango tango, sunny, Godzilla, caterpillar and fried banana.

The signature special is what I went with, ordering the mango tango and volcano rolls for myself, plus an extra one – the crazy kani roll – for my co-worker to take advantage of the pricing. She also ordered the scorched scallop roll, and we got an appetizer of seared scallops.

First, the presentation: Each plate looked beautiful, featuring a decorative element, a bird perched on an imitation plant for my co-worker, and a stylized garden screen with an umbrella (as with a fruity cocktail) for me.

The scallop appetizer also looked amazing. Each scallop was nestled in an individual spoon, ensuring you got all the flavors from the sauces in one bite.

It made the lunch feel special. I typically find that sushi restaurants bring the wow factor when you select a lot of rolls, but I had never seen it done for just two, and on an individual level.

Then we dug in. It is truly some of the best sushi I have ever had. I love sushi, and this place is worth going out of the way for.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

Seeking reader suggestions: We welcome readers to share their recommendations of places they would like the Mystery Diner to visit. Email ideas to tips@nwherald.com.

IF YOU GO

• WHAT: Susie Sushi

• WHERE: 700 Northwest Highway, Fox River Grove

• PHONE: 224-357-4071

• INFORMATION: susiesushiil.kwickmenu.com