An amazingly fresh and unique concept in Orlando: Sus Hi Eatstation review

I'm always looking for something new and fresh on the Orlando dining scene. I've been rather bored lately with the opening of one burger chain after another. Enough already! Orlando needs a lot of things but it does not need another burger restaurant. Or another pizza chain for that matter. Orlando needs more inexpensive, locally-owned, unique concepts that offer healthier, fresher options.

I found just such a restaurant last week, after a visit to the UCF area, and a stop for dinner at Sus Hi Eatstation, just across from the campus on Alafaya Trail in Orlando. Wow! How refreshing to find a restaurant with a reasonably- priced menu, an unusual theme, awesome customer service, and amazing food. I know I'm a couple of years late to the party, but Sus Hi Eatstation is new to me, and I couldn't be happier to have finally found it, ninja.

Ninja?

Okay, so let's get the ninja thing out of the way right up front. The employees dress as ninjas and there's a general ninja theme to the dining room and the marketing. Employees will address you as "ninja," as in, "Welcome to Sus Hi, ninja." All employees start as "ninjas" and work their way up the employment ladder to "Head Ninja," "Sensei," and all the way to "Master." It's not over-done, really, and I thought it was endearing.

But how's the food?

The food is great. I enjoyed the ability to order a roll exactly as I like it. There are only a few pre-existing rolls on the menu -- but no California Roll, no Dragon Roll, etc. -- you pick everything you want inside and on top. In fact, you can also choose a rice bowl or a wrap instead of a roll.

Here's how it works:

First you choose your style (roll, bowl or wrap), then you choose your protein (tuna, shrimp tempura, tofu, spicy tuna, chicken tempura, salmon, grilled chicken, krab or steak), then choose your ingredients (cucumber, scallions, carrots, lettuce, cheese, walnuts, raisins, and lots more which can go inside or on top), then choose your sauce that is drizzled on top of your roll or bowl (spicy mayo, white sauce, sweet soy sauce, triple x, bbq, soy sauce, etc.). Rolls are $6, Bowls and Wraps are $7. Add $1 to tempura anything.

Here's what I ordered: Tuna Roll with scallions and sesame seeds, with White Sauce and wasabi on the side. I guess that's kind of boring compared to the others in my dining party, but I really wanted to taste the freshness of the tuna. I was very impressed.

The others at my table topped their rolls with all kinds of fresh ingredients and the end products looked like works of art. That's the best part of Sus Hi Eatstation -- every roll is a work of art, yours.

What's on the side?

For sides, there's Edamame, Ginger Salad, Seaweed Salad, Miso Soup, Fried Tempura, Egg Rolls, Dumplings and Krab Rangoons.

I tried the Krab Rangoons with a K. They were good with a G. My favorite side, however, was a new dish -- unique to Sus Hi Eatstation -- Rice Fries. My ninja smashed sushi rice between two sheets of seaweed and cut the square into strips. The strips were then tempura fried. When dipped into the Triple X Sauce, the sticks were amazing. I want more right now.

Vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Most ingredients at Sus Hi Eatstation are vegetarian and many are vegan. If unsure about a particular item, just ask a Sus Hi Master. Gluten free is also an option.

Roll up.

Sus Hi Eatstation is exactly what I've been looking for in Orlando. It's innovative, unique, friendly, accommodating, and above all, delicious, ninja.

5 Tempura-Battered Throwing Stars out of 5

Note: I dined compliments of Sus Hi Eatstation.

Sus Hi Eatstation
4498 N. Alafaya Trail
Suite 324
Orlando, FL 32826
407-826-1682
sushieatstation.com