LAKEVIEW — Sushi purists beware: The sushi burrito has arrived in Lakeview.
Sushi Burrito, 2904 N. Broadway, serves up a hybrid of two very different cuisines, melding the to-go convenience of a burrito with the crisp freshness of sushi.
"The world is changing, still, and why not make a sushi burrito?," said owner Ganzorig Amgalanbaatar. "Everything is just mixing with everything right now. So why not put this together?"
It's not the only "anything goes" concept moving into Lakeview; Torta Haus opened at 926 W. Diversey Pky. earlier this year. The Mexican-German eatery features German pork tortas, wiener schnitzel and bratwurst.
After opening Sumo Restaurant in Lincoln Park two years ago, Amgalanbaatar started searching for a second location. Lakeview customers told Amgalanbaatar that Sumo (now called Sumo Sushi Burrito) at Clybourn and Sheffield was a little out of reach, so he looked for space nearby.
Sushi Burrito replaces Dolce Gelato Cafe, which closed at the end of 2014 after 1½ years in Lakeview. The Lakeview location is styled for mostly take-out orders, although there are booths to eat inside. The casual interior is more relaxed than its Lincoln Park counterpart.
Amgalanbaatar claims to have the first sushi burrito joints in Chicago, but the trend has caught fire in California and Washington, D.C. Sushirrito, which opened in San Francisco in 2010, bills itself as the "original," but so does Jogasaki in Los Angeles.
Four years ago, Chicago-based firm Technomic even predicted the rise of "burrito-inspired" mash-ups. On Friday, The Washington Post heralded the "remarkable rise" of the sushi burrito.
What's so great about the sushi burrito? Amgalanbaatar credits the transportability and "good price" of his rolls — most of the burritos are $7.50, with a couple $12 options in the mix.
"Just regular sushi restaurants are everywhere," he said. "Sushi rolls are very expensive because sushi chefs spend a lot of time making them look beautiful. And you can't eat something like that in the car. It's too difficult."
There are six $7.50 burritos that come with spicy or regular tuna, salmon, shrimp, veggies or Philadelphia-style (salmon, cream cheese and crab). Special burritos are $12 and include the ChiTown burrito (shrimp, tuna and crab).
Traditionalists can stick with $5 sushi rolls like a shrimp tempura roll, red salmon roll and sweet potato roll. Appetizers include miso soup ($3), edamame ($4) and a seaweed salad ($6). Sushi Burrito also has sushi towers for $10-$11.
Sushi Burrito is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Tuesdays.
RELATED:
• Looking For 'An Unexpected Food Adventure'? Head to Sumo For Sushi Burritos
• Italian Owner of New Gelato Cafe Wants to Bring Rome to Lakeview
• Bunny Microbakery Finally Is Opening In East Lakeview
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