Mashira Teriyaki - Stayton

I've always enjoyed my meals here! Food: 5 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 3

The former gas station has a unique charm. The establishment was clean, and the food was excellent. I will definitely return. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 3

While passing through town, we decided to stop at this restaurant after seeing its 4.4-star rating. However, the reviews didn’t say much about the food, so we thought we’d give it a shot. I wish we had kept going to find a better option. I ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken, and my friend got sushi. Unfortunately, the Sweet and Sour Chicken had no flavor; the sauce looked like some yellow concoction served in a cup and was just as tasteless. There were hardly any vegetables, just a tiny bit of cabbage tucked away in the corner of the box. I couldn’t even finish it—I only managed to eat the rice and ended up tossing the rest. My friend also had a disappointing experience with her sushi, which was poorly rolled and fell apart the moment she picked it up. She found it bland as well and felt the need to drown it in soy sauce to add some taste. To make matters worse, she said the seaweed was rubbery. The only thing we enjoyed was the egg rolls, which we guessed were pre-made rather than fresh. Overall, it was not a great dining experience.

The food was absolutely delicious, and the woman at the counter was very friendly and greeted me with a warm smile. My order was ready in a reasonable amount of time. Interestingly, I only learned that the restaurant was open after discussing Japanese food with someone else. Over the past year and a half, I’ve driven by this restaurant numerous times, mistakenly thinking it was closed. The uninviting appearance of the building gives off a vibe of being shut down. I sincerely hope the owner will revamp the front to create a more welcoming look. I share this as a suggestion to help, not as a criticism. Best, Bill.

I walked out after they asked me to pay $2.25 for a cup of tap water while I was having a full meal. The seating was limited, and there was only counter service for ordering, with just a small menu taped to a table that wasn’t moveable. The place appeared dirty, didn’t smell like food, and was completely empty on a Monday evening at 6:15. I can understand why. I ended up going across the street for some Chinese food and got free water there. I won’t be returning to this establishment.