Faceless Samurai

Godzilla Roll is AMAZING!!!! Must have when you come here

Reviewed on Facebook

I have been eye balling the Faceless Samurai for quite some time now. I love sushi but they also have a few Japanese dishes I wanted to try. The restaurant is a small establishment that is tucked away on Tampa road in the same strip mall as Queens Pizza and a Shell station. Atmosphere:When you walk in you feel like you are walking into a humble Japanese restaurant. Along the right wall are booths that allow you to sit on pillows and a low table. Down the center is a long banquet table that can hold a large party or several small parties. A great community table. The left side has typical chair and tables. Towards the back is a well lit and modest sushi bar. The owner, Duke, is personable and is honest about his portions. He had the opportunity to sell me more food than I needed but said that the dish I ordered should be filling for one person. The food and people that work there are well liked. I was the only one that wasn't a repeat customer. Duke and the waitress (didn't catch her name, she too was know and liked) knew their customers' names and food preferences. By the end of my dinning experience they were calling me by my name. Their customer service is so exceptional that Duke made a mistake on a to go order and told the customer that if it should ever happen again call and he will bring the correct order to her. WHAT!!! Amazing!Food: I ordered gyoza and okonomiyaki. The gyoza was delicious. The meat stuffing was well seasoned and balanced in flavor. It was moist and not chewy. The wrappers were delicate in texture but didn't easily fall apart. They were cooked perfectly, steamed and pan fried so that you get the juxtaposition of soft wrapper next to crunchy wrapper. The okonomiyaki was huge! The pancakes/ crepe like wonder was packed full of flavor. The edges were crispy while the center was soft. They included cabbage and seafood. It was topped with eel sauces, mayo, seaweed, sesame seeds and bonito flakes. I tried to finish it but I could only eat half (next time I'll dine with a friend). I highly recommend this as an appetizer for a group of 2 to 4 people.I look forward to trying more dishes!Cost: Gyoza $ 6.5Okonomiyaki $ 10 or 12 (can't remember)I will definitely be back! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is my favorite local spot! The gyoza is phenomenal and is my favorite thing on the menu. The restaurant is quaint & nicely appointed. The sushi is delicious and fresh. Service is always fast and friendly whether we decide to dine in or order carry out. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I had Faceless Samurai a couple of times as takeout but this is my first time eating in the restaurant itself and I got to say, it's a gem. The place gives me that Izakaya feel. Its small enough for an intimate group to come and enjoy a couple of drinks with some great food. It's the kind of place that you don't want to share with anyone - not because it's bad or anything like that, but because it the type of place that you treasure to yourself. You're new secret spot. I had to submit a review though because Duke and everyone at Faceless Samurai makes you feel so welcome as soon as you walk in and the food itself was so freaking delicious. We had their sushi before but this time we went with something different - we had 2 small salads, miso soup, gyoza, the Drunken Noodles, and Chicken Teriyaki. First off: the Gyoza = Fire. It's a must-have appetizer. The Miso and Salad were perfectly prepared. The Drunken Noodles were delicious but watch it because the spice does have bite. So worth it though! The Chicken Teriyaki was incredible too. Saucy and scrumptious. My only regret was eating it too fast. Side note: this place is one of the few (perhaps the only place) that makes Okonomiyaki. If I can suggest something to the owners: bring some Takoyaki & Taiyaki to the menu - it will make me love you more. If you're questioning what to eat then look no further. This place gets a "yes" from me. Photos next time for sure! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

If I could give 10 stars I would! We've been regular weekly customers for quite some time. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is perfect! Duke, the owner, hangs out behind the sushi bar. Knows almost all of his customers by name and always has a smile on his face. Very outgoing and friendly. Thi, (Tee) is always moving, taking spectacular care of the customers with a big smile on her face as well. Jack is a great new addition to the staff. Very attentive and always filling in where needed. Very positive and upbeat. I don't think he knows how not to smile! The kitchen staff is amazing too! We feel like family here. You won't be disappointed!!!! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

best spicey tuna roll ever

Reviewed on Facebook

The best sushi around! Duke and his staff are so wonderful. The Thai food, sushi, and desserts are all so fresh and delicious! They are the absolute best!

Reviewed on Yelp

This place is awesome! Don't let the mom and pop vibe scare you off. It is family owned but that's is absolutely part of its charm. I have been searching for good okonomiyaki in the Tampa area for a while. This place wins hands down.Sushi was very fresh and presented very well. This is a must go place.Will be our "secret sushi spot" from now on. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This place is amazing!!!!! We are so glad we found it! The sushi is fresh and priced right! I normally don't like miso soup but there's is delicious! First time we went I got the fried duck parang curry, omg amazing! The atmosphere is great also, cute benches to sit in, very comfortable! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great sushi! Quiet atmosphere. Owner is super friendly. We go here about 1x per month. The curries are also really good. I like the padang curry the best!

Reviewed on Yelp

We've been coming here since the beginning. Service is always great and the sushi even better. Everything is delicious! A definite if you're in the area.

Reviewed on Yelp

We've just added this restaurant to our list of favorite sushi places. Each one has it's own specialty and way of making the standards, which is a good thing! Try the mackerel sushi - different and good! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

We absolutely love this place! The best sushi in town! The owners are super kind and know how to make sushi and Thai food and run a great restaurant. Try their hot house saki it is so good! We love the fresh ginger salad, edamame, and curry puffs for an appetizer. The Thai spicy tuna roll is fresh sliced into chunks tuna. It's not ground up tuna. We like it spicy so Duke , the owner and chef, gives us an extra side of spicy sauce to dip in. We like the create your own roll option too! Pick anything and make your own fantastic roll. I like to do smoked salmon, cream cheese, tempura shrimp and scallions or carrots for a great crunch! There is one other roll that has lemon aioli on it that is divine! Inside had fresh snapper and outside it was wrapped with thin tuna. Amazing!!  This place is great for big parties or a nice intimate dinner for two.  The pad Thai there is also authentic and really yummy! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I recently moved into the area, and saw this place in passing. It's a really amazing place, I've never had a bad bite of food! The food is amazing, the people are even better! I come in multiple times a week, and will continue to do so. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Workers are so nice . Excellent food many different choices and all amazing

Reviewed on Facebook

Best sushi, ever!! Finally!! The Clearwater is definitely a favorite!

Reviewed on Facebook

Just more raves for Duke and his amazing food! Drunken noodles!! Mexican roll wow!  Spider rolls on point. The food is cooked from the soul

Reviewed on Yelp

DUKE IS THE BEST! My friend recommended this place to me this year and I have been going ever since! I love the place, looking from the outside it doesn't look spectacular, yet as soon as you enter there is an amazing vibe and the decoration is amazing. The sushi is delicious! I recommend the GODZILLA! It's delicious! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Best sushi, hands down. The whole experience is even better.

Reviewed on Facebook

Great sushi! Love their sitting area and I'm definitely coming back. Really friendly service.

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing sushi!!!! best there is. If you want really good sushi this is the spot. I was not a Fan of sushi but the owner made me love it. simply amazing food. Always make you feel welcome. Great experience. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This place is wonderful. Great service and fantastic food. We ordered shrimp tempura and summer rolls as appetizers. I loved the shrimp. My husband loved the summer roll. It had an anise flavor which I do not like. I had the dynamite roll and created a roll of my own. Some of the best sushi I've had. My husband had red curry chicken, extra spicy. He is very hard to please with curry and he loved it! We will be back for sure. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Fantastic sushi and the service/hospitality is honestly some of the best we have ever experoences. We live in Seminole, but will gladly drive out to Tampa Rd again soon to eat at Faceless Samurai. ..thank you to the staff for making it such a great evening for our buddy's 74th bday' More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Duke always remembers my name and makes me any sushi I want!!!

Reviewed on Facebook

Faceless Samurai has become a staple for my family. Good food and warm reception is what makes this place stand out.

Reviewed on Facebook

The sushi was amazing. And you get to create your own roll which was YES.

Reviewed on Facebook

First time here and I was looking for drunken noodles to satisfy a craving. I read a previous review indicating that the drunken noodles were a good choice. So drunken noodles and some ebi later, i cleaned my plate and will gladly go back again.  I was skeptical because of the combo of sushi and Thai on the menu (I'm always skeptical when mixed cultures are on the same menu), but there was no reason to be. Walked in 20 minutes before they were due to take their afternoon break and received a warm welcome, friendly service, and excellent food. I already have a favorite sushi place, but this one is now my square second for sushi and will be my first for Thai. I will be back! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Friendly staff and wonderful food. Love going to see Duke on Mondays!

Reviewed on Facebook

Great food and good people. The rolls are huge and not all rice either. They deliver also which is even better.

Reviewed on Facebook

All I can say is YUM! Wanted a new place to try out and stumbled on this gem and was so glad we did! Will definitely be back!

Reviewed on Facebook

Every time we order from here it's been amazing . Searched so many sushi places out here and this spot is the Gem of them All. Fresh rolls and great service family owned I believe . If you decide to sit in and eat rather than takeout, you will also be pleased with the cozy at home feeling you get, such a lovely ambiance . The prices are very affordable not all all expensive and overall worth every penny . If you want great sushi, this is the place ! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Haven't been here in years and apparently under new or changed ownership.  Still good, fresh sushi.  Place can get very busy with limited seating so go early!  You can call ahead too.

Reviewed on Yelp

In a few words: I did take-out. Curry Puffs & Drunken Noodles. And I'll tell you exactly why I thought it was awesome. Number 1: The booths in the restaurant - even though I didn't sit in them - are Japanese style. You're going to sit cross-legged on pillows at low tables. Number 2: I asked for my noodles spicy. Not very spicy, not mild. They came spicy. I like spicy. That's why I order spicy. Some other restaurants see a haole order spicy and they make it mild, thinking the poor guy will never be able to handle it. I can. I don't like to be patronized. If I order it spicy - make it f'n spicy or I'm not coming back. This place ROCKS! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I've been eating at the Faceless Samurai since 1989. Wonderful owners, servers, and fresh sushi! I highly recommend Faceless Samurai. When you go in, say "hi" to "You-Me." Really, that's her name - Youme! :) More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Duke is the man. Freshest fish you will find around and the thai is great too. Duke takes pride in everything he does and it shows. He knows almost every customer by name which should tell you its good, as people keep coming back. The DB on here with one star clearly eats Publix sushi. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

So we were looking for new sushi places, and I legit live 5 mins away from this place and it's been there since the Cuban missile crisis with the same faded "Japanese Restaurant" sign so I decided to stop by  and all I gotta say now is that this is probably the only place I'll get my sushi from great vibes, nice decor, and amazing customer service. I'm hooked like a piece of toilet paper on the sole of a shoe. Extremely friendly they'll help you if you need with choosing sushi. Mexican roll is absolute gasoline. Felt like family when I left with a warmer than summer in July goodbye the whole staff gave my girl and I as we left the restaurant. I can already see all the money I plan to spend there in the future. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

LOVE the amazing variety of sushi rolls to choose from. If you love spicy-- the "Steve's" roll and the "Firefighter" are a must try! The tuna ceviche is great way to start the meal too.  The service is personal and attentive. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Don't let the location and lack of signage fool you!  This sushi is top notch. The sign outside in the strip mall just says "Japanese Restaurant", but it's absolutely wonderful. Everything is made to order, with fresh ingredients. Seriously the best tuna around. They even made something that wasn't on the menu for my friend, and she said it was great. I order three rolls and each one was flavorful and presented gorgeously. We will be back! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My favorite Sushi restaurant in all of Florida... Duke is the man.

Reviewed on Facebook

I eat here almost every day Customer service is amazing but the quality of the sushi is amazing family owned and operated kind of a secret little hideaway here in Palm Harbor

Reviewed on Yelp

Duke is the owner and always there plus very personable. Been coming for a few years now and have been able to say we have become friends. Great place to eat sushi that is not that same as every other place. Friendly and family atmosphere. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Have been here twice and am very impressed with the friendly atmosphere and great food. My husband is a vegetarian and they were able to alter the standard fare to his special needs. Will definitely be going back.

Reviewed on Facebook

This place is very consistent,  prices are reasonable, dining in takes a little longer but it is worth it.  Ordering, "pick up" is painless. .the Tampa and Mexican roll are perfect... Duke, the owner is very owner/customer friendly. . More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The owner/chef and staff are all so friendly. Amazing food, and if you don't love it for any reason (I once ordered something that was too spicy for me - my husband loved it) they insisted on making me something else. Ever since that time, they always remember to warn me about spicy dishes, or offer to tone down the spice to my liking. We LOVE this place. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I live about 30 minutes from the location and it's absolutely worth the drive. The quality is perfect and the price is as well. The owner is very involved and is there to take care of you. This is my number one choice, I would recommend to anyone and encourage to try it yourself. The atmosphere is perfect and the music was a great touch, you kinda have to hear for yourself to see what i mean. The sushi bar and dining furniture are all unique which brings character and authenticity to the place. The owner has a unique selection of sea food that a lot of places don't stock so you can really get a new experience there. I'm sure if you go on the weekday when there's no rush you'll meet the owner and he's very humble and welcoming. Definitely a spot to check out. More...

Reviewed on Facebook