Sushi World on River Road has undergone a management change, but Yakisoba, Pad Thai, teriyaki dishes, edamame and wonton appetizers, in addition to a full service sushi, are still available. Tacoma resident Pete Sedgwick swears by the all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner sushi specials for $9.95 and $14.95, which include sushi, sashimi, rolls and nigiri. "It's fresh and made right in front of you," Sedgwick says.

Sitting at the sushi bar means interaction with congenial sushi chefs, one of my favorite parts of the sushi experience. A sushi newbie, my dining companion Sue wasn't quite ready to eat the truly fishy items. She was made comfortable by kind suggestions from the staff, including  a Washington roll with crisp sweet apple in it, the cucumber roll and the tamago (sweet cooked chicken-egg omelet on sushi rice). Also, with the warm sweet teriyaki sauce atop cooked eel sushi, Sue found it easy to forget there was really fishy stuff in it.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday