Machi Sushi: all-you-can-eat sushi in Austin

Machi Sushi sits on the South I-35 frontage road in Austin, Texas. It is an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant, and it serves bubble tea too.

How it started

Machi Sushi is owned by Sandi, who is involved in the restaurant's day-to-day operation. Before Machi, she was already in the restaurant business and understood the industry. Eventually she wanted to build something of her own.

She remembers feeling excited, nervous and proud all at the same time on opening day, after putting so much work into it. When the first customer walked through the door, it was an amazing feeling.

The hard days

There have been difficult days: staffing, expenses and unexpected problems. Through the hard times, she kept reminding herself why she started in the first place. "What kept me going was knowing that people depend on us, and that giving up wasn't an option," she said.

A great day

Her idea of a great day is a busy one: the team working together, and the tables in the dining room full of people enjoying themselves.

She is proudest of the regulars, the people who enjoy coming back. "In the future, I hope Machi becomes a place people know, trust, and keep coming back to," she said.

The food

Machi Sushi has over 1,900 reviews on Google at 4.6 stars. I've been to a few sushi spots that don't go the extra mile on presentation, and I think that's very important. Sushi is one of my favorite dishes, and Machi Sushi did an A+ job.

My girlfriend came with me for the interview, and we tried the rainbow roll and a few other rolls. They came out on black trays with orchids and branches of blossoms. The fish was very fresh. If I came back for one roll, it would be the rainbow roll. You see it on just about every sushi menu, but it's one of those things you can come back to and know it's going to be done right.

We had some sashimi too. It comes on little wooden stands at different heights, with a board of nigiri underneath. You could tell they pay attention to detail with the food.

We both also got an Earl Grey black milk tea with boba, which was quite refreshing. It comes in a tall can printed with the Machi Sushi logo, with the boba settled at the bottom.

Inside the restaurant

The interior design work is so well done. Red lanterns and garlands of pink blossoms hang across the dining room ceiling. A long booth runs under lattice windows, and at the far end a mural of birds in flight covers the back wall.

Who helped

Her family, her team and the people who believe in her helped her get here. She would simply say thank you to them for standing beside her.

What's behind the business

When the doors are locked and the lights are off, she is usually home, thinking about everything that happened that day and what she needs to do tomorrow. I'm sure many restaurant owners can agree when she says, "you don't really turn your brain off when you leave."

I asked her what she would tell a best friend who wanted to open their own restaurant.

"I tell them, make sure you really love it, because it takes a lot more work than people see from the outside," she said. "If they truly love it, I tell them, go for it, and never be afraid to learn."

Visit Machi Sushi

• Address: 2200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM to 10 PM. Friday and Saturday, 11 AM to 11 PM.
• Phone: (512) 358-1117
• Website: machisushiaustin.com
• Instagram: @machisushiatx