Kazu Takeaway. Kazu goes all out with knockout, takeout-only sushi. Spicy Tuna, Hamachi, and Rainbow rolls for the win. I give it an impressive 8.1 / 10, which makes it worth a ten-minute drive.
Kazu is a tiny, two-person operation that delivers high-quality sushi. The ingredients are fresh, the fish melts in your mouth, and the price comes in lower than other sushi spots in St. Louis.
The catch? It's takeout only, and the wait times on weekends are no joke. You need to plan ahead and order early. They also have St. Louis hours and close on Sundays. But if you're looking for top-notch sushi without the fancy restaurant experience, Kazu is a fantastic choice.
Kazu Experience Summary
My wife and I went to Kazu for a date night after hearing from a friend that it might even be better than Sado. Anytime we hear that, we're in.
The website clearly states it's takeout only, and they aren't kidding. When you walk in, it's just a cash register, a very nice lady taking orders, and one man making all the sushi.
That's the entire operation.
You are supposed to order online ahead of time. You don't have to, but they highly recommended it. We got there at 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday and already had a half-hour wait. By the time we picked up our food, the wait for new orders had increased to two hours, which the woman at the counter said is fairly common on Fridays or Saturdays.
Get your order in early.
Using the rainbow roll as an anchor point, the $12.99 comes in under Top Sushi, and Sushi Ai. I thoroughly enjoyed the Spicy Tuna.
We had dinner on a bench watching people walk up and down Tamm. Would 100% recommend.
The Food At Kazu
While I've never seen the movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi, I feel like this is what it would be like if he worked with his spouse. It's just one old man who has been making sushi his whole life, and his wife helping him.
At least that's the story I made for them.
And the sushi is truly, truly great.
The rolls are a little on the smaller side, so you'll probably want two. I got a spicy tuna roll ($9.99) and a hamachi roll ($9). I was full after eating both, but one wouldn't have been enough. The spicy tuna had a good kick without being overpowering, and the hamachi was incredibly fresh.
My wife got the rainbow roll, which the lady behind the counter recommended. Everything was super fresh, with that nice, melty, high-quality fish texture.
They provide wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce, but you might want to bring your own drinks. We got a water and a soda that added about six bucks to the bill, which we probably didn't need to spend.
Is it as good as Sado? It's hard to say. The experience is totally different.
But the quality is right up there, for about three-quarters of the price. A roll that might cost $20 at Sado was $12 here, so it's a great deal.
Kazu Atmosphere And Miscellaneous
There is no atmosphere to speak of, because you can't eat there. You go in, pick up your food, and leave. We ended up eating on a park bench nearby, which was actually awesome on a Saturday night for people-watching.
It really is a little hole-in-the-wall joint.
This is a perfect spot for a date night if you want to grab some amazing takeout. It's better than your average neighborhood place, for sure.
Parking At Kazu
Parking is in Dogtown, which can be hit-or-miss. I found a spot right across the street, but it was the last one. The neighborhood is hopping on a Saturday night, so expect it to be busy.
Kazu Receipt
