May's Sushi Grill - Santa Cruz

I think they reopened as Sushi Mori Pretty good sushi 8/10. Not out-of-this-world amazing but yummy. The AYCE is fun and you can get a good variety of things. AYCE is cheaper during lunch. I liked the sashimi and popcorn lobster roll. Our party of five had loads of fun

May's is the talk of the town when it comes to AYCE sushi in Santa Cruz, frankly because it's the only restaurant that does it in the entire area. A lot of people have recommended I come and try it, so I finally did with my roommate and their partner. Overall: solid 3.5 and my experience was better than I thought. You need to prepare yourself when going to an AYCE sushi place the sushi is not going to be the best you've ever had but should be between the ones you find in the store packets or Asian buffets. I know that doesn't invoke a lot of confidence perhaps but I actually really enjoyed my experience at May's, and I've lived in Japan for several years. It is nowhere near as fresh as a la carte restaurants but still really solid given the options and price. For $27, you get access to three rounds of sushi orders. From apps such as miso soup and seaweed salad to nigiri to fresh/fried rolls, you have a lot of options to choose from. I am a huge fan of nigiri and usually stick with ordering just salmon or white tuna nigiri when I'm at sushi buffets. The ones here came out quickly and wasn't bad at all. In fact, I recommend getting the hand rolls because they have a higher fish to rice ratio and you'll get less full from all the starches. For the American sushi, we ordered the Baked Lobster Roll and the Sexy Sexy a roll that uses cucumber skin with tuna, salmon, and yellowtail. I actually loved both of them for very different reason. The baked lobster had crumbles of fried lobster on top of a California Roll while the Sexy Sexy omitted all rice, making it feel like diet sushi. What we really lucked out on was being one of three parties on a Sunday evening. With fewer people, we were well taken care of and the food came out extremely quickly. I can imagine the experience going sour if you had to wait 30+ minutes for your food if there were long waits. I suggest coming here during less busy times in order to really take advantage of the AYCE sushi.

Hella bomb and it's AYCE. Reviews are skeptical but you'll be fine ! Only one waitress but 2 sushi chefs that roll out food quickly! We couldn't even make it to round 3

Meh. So the food is okay. I am not impressed. It is acceptable if you like cheap mid/low quality stuff that is edible. I would give it a two star but they do a great job with the all you can eat sushi. This place also allows half orders of rolls which is cool. The folks here have yet to mess up an order and usually when I come with a large group of friends they order a crap ton. I suggest making it easy on the servers have all of the all you can eat people sitting next to each other. From what I have ordered since I refuse to do the all you can eat Do not order the short ribs with your bento.. you pay an extra dollar for limp short ribs that do not have a lot of flavor/ not very many pieces. The fried tofu is inconsistent in the portions given.. one time I got three pieces... yesterday I got four. The pieces were sliced inconsistently. The tempura and miso are decent. The water and tea was replenished and the servers check in every thirty or so to see if you're okay. Just know that if you order too much and can't finish there is a surcharge (that is pretty standard for all you can eat spots). High quality good Japanese food is hard to come by in these parts.... but considering this is the only all you can eat and they deliver... when you want a lot of sushi for cheap/ you are lazy AF and order in.. this is the place. Oh yeah 8 pm happy hour.

This is a review for the AYCE here. Food is good. Service is slower than my grandmother's pet turtle. If you come for AYCE, it's best you don't come when you are hungry because you'll be waiting 30+ minutes for one roll. And then 30 more minutes for the next. So pro tip, eat before you come here so you don't sit here hangrily waiting for each roll. Pack a few snacks to eat at the restaurant while you wait. Maybe bring a board game for you and your friends. Or a movie. Practice your patience and meditate. Reach enlightenment. And then maybe you'll get your sushi roll.