Sushi Totoro

My college food life is summed up on sushi binges. Whether me and my bestie, Christie, were bored, having one of those weeks, or even one of us being on our period, sushi binge. Due to transport limitations, satisfying our need for sushi came down to I Love Sushi and Sushi Totoro. We spent a lot of time at Sushi Totoro (a.k.a. Totoro).

Then when I met my boyfriend and introduced him to sushi, Totoro was the place because I was addicted to a roll called Golden Bell; a deep fried Philadelphia roll with Japanese mayo and unagi sauce. Ever since then my boyfriend was hooked and when we graduated we vowed to return someday, and we did. Before going back I had to check if anything have changed, it did and I thought change is good. I would expect something to change since the last time I've been there has been almost 3 years ago.

Left to right: 'Hill' Billy, Double Unagi, and Golden Bell

When I got there it was the same place but with a tons more pictures (at Totoro you can take a Polaroid picture and place it at any opening they have). We were greeted and seated immediately. I've noticed the Itamae preparing the sushi; he was new to me. Our server brought gave us complimentary soup (that did not change) and when I looked closely at the menu (pictures on the bottom of the entry) I noticed it has changed too, more than I expected. I saw it coming because I did visit their page but I did not think much of it.  We ordered  Golden Bell, Lion King, Double Unagi, and 'Hill' Billy roll. While waiting they served us some hot miso soup. =)

Lion King Roll

Getting the tray with Golden Bell, Double Unagi, and 'Hill' Billy all lined up so nice and neat made me nostalgic of those UCSC days. The Golden Bell was the reminder I needed to realize that change happens. It wasn't the same Golden Bell I remember. Everything tasted a little different, change is good, but some change was not good. The Golden Bell was a let down, the Double Unagi was good, and the 'Hill' Billy was my favorite. The Lion King roll came right behind and that was covered with the new sauce; I was not feeling it. Confession time, the whole time I was eating the sushi I was thinking about Anaba.


Having my fair share of other sushi places and man, Totoro played me. *Sigh* Totoro increased their prices, which was understandable, but for the quality of okay sushi. . . ehh meh. Since we got there when dinner started, around 5pm, it was a nice easy atmosphere with Top Hits music. Service was okay as well. Even though Anthony and I were one of the few people there and a couple of waitresses on staff I would think service would be faster. I saw them trying to work the register and one of them was standing there. They were young as well as the Itamae (sushi chef at the bar).

Such a relax atmosphere means relax staff, and relax staff means slow service; I wish they were more attentive. At the end of our meal they turned up the music which I didn't mind because I was leaving then. I understand now from some reviews about the loud music. Maybe the music was meant be loud so it drowns out the thought on how average their sushi tasted.

The best part of the meal was getting our picture and replacing our picture. Nonetheless, it was great coming back to Santa Cruz and re-visit places. Totoro is always going to be one of the college's sushi places to go but it goes to show you can't relive and feel the same way about a place.

Sushi Totoro- 1701 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Value: 2/5
Service: 2/5
Food: 3/5
Atmosphere: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5