Kengo Sushi Yakitori - Toledo

My boyfriend and I recently celebrated my birthday with an Omakase experience, and it was simply amazing! This was our first visit, and the meal turned out to be an incredible journey. Every course was fantastic and incredibly fresh. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, and Chef Kengo clearly has a talent for creating dishes with perfectly complementary ingredients. I believe Kengo's Omakase is a must-try for any sushi enthusiast. We both agreed that the bluefin tuna was the most incredible slice of raw fish we've ever tasted!

An authentic Japanese sushi restaurant located in downtown Toledo, this place is truly one of the best in the Midwest! In the photos, you'll see hamachi, otoro, uni, negihama, negitoro, and yakitori. Some of our other favorites were the wagyu and madai nigiri. Unfortunately, we were unable to reserve the chef's omakase as it was fully booked even on a Tuesday night. The service was friendly, although I wish the miso soup and green tea were on the same level as the rest of the dishes. Convenient meter parking is available on the same street.

I've been eager to try this place, but I never had the chance to stop when passing through the area from Columbus. We arrived at 5:05 PM and found ourselves on a two-hour waitlist, but it was definitely worth it! Their wait estimate was incredibly accurate. For our group of six, they anticipated a wait of 2 to 2.5 hours, and we were notified that our table was ready in just 2 hours and 5 minutes! The service was fantastic—friendly and quick! Everything we had was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, just the right portion size for a group to sample a bit of everything. The nigiri came with generous slices of fresh fish, and the salmon and tuna practically melted in our mouths. Next time I'm in town, I’ll make sure to use that little trick to snag a table right when they open!

This place is a true gem; I never would have expected Toledo to host one of the best Japanese dining experiences in the Midwest, but here it is. Everything about it is exceptional—service, dishes, and attention to detail. The omakase style truly elevates the experience. Make sure to add this to your bucket list; it’s a must-visit. The wonderful people of Toledo have no idea how fortunate they are to have such a fantastic option—or maybe they do! I can’t wait to return.

During my first visit, we faced significant delays in receiving our meals. To make matters worse, the table next to us, which seemed to be acquainted with the chef-owner, received prompt and friendly service, while we and other tables were left waiting. In hopes of a better experience, I returned for the omakase course. Unfortunately, my second visit only reinforced my initial impression. Although the pacing of the omakase was reasonable, it became clear that the restaurant prioritizes omakase guests (or the owner's friends) over other patrons. While this isn't inherently an issue, it does suggest that regular customers may not receive the same level of attention or service. Overall, the food here is exceptional and worthy of five stars, but potential regular diners should be prepared for possibly uneven treatment compared to omakase customers or those close to the owner. Additionally, the music was quite loud. Parking can be a challenge, especially during baseball games when finding a spot is nearly impossible. It’s advisable to have a budget of $10 to $20 to navigate this hassle efficiently.