New Sushi Bars And The "And Sushi Bar" Phenomenon Continues

While I'm still waiting for Sam's Sushi to open up near E. 12th Street and Chicon, it's pretty clear that Austin has reached sushi saturation in certain key demographic areas. The latest merchandising strategy is the "and sushi bar" phenomenon. Instead of committing your new restaurant to sushi, you commit to something else (typically steak or teppanyaki) and then add a sushi bar on the side.

These poser sushi establishments may fare better economically, but we don't expect they'll do well in our ratings.

First up, just a couple of blocks from Sake on Sixth and Arirang, on the ground floor of the Hilton Hotel, is the new Finn & Porter, Steaks, Seafood, and Sushi. Yes, that's right -- "and Sushi." Out in Lakeway, Pao's Mandarin House has added a sushi bar (but they still call themselves just Pao's Mandarin House). According to one Austin Sushi News reader, Pao's is Lakeway's only 7-day a week sushi bar (the other sushi bar, at Thai Spice, is only open Thursday-Saturday).

Pao's Mandarin House
2300 Lohmans Spur, Suite 134
Lakeway, Texas
(512) 263-8869

Finn & Porter, Steaks,Seafood, and Sushi
500 East 4th Street (inside the new Hilton Hotel)
Austin, Texas
(512) 493-4900

Thai Spice
1310 RR 620 South, Suite 7A
Lakeway, Texas
(512) 263-2221