New Japanese restaurant to offer hibachi, sushi near Algonquin Commons

ALGONQUIN – On Wednesday, a couple originally from Japan delivers their "crown jewel," opening their third Japanese restaurant in the past 12 years near the Algonquin Commons shopping center, a business partner said.

Facing Randall Road in front of the Algonquin Commons, Yo Shi Japanese, 2523 N. County Line Road, features six hibachi cooking tables, a sushi bar, a full-service bar and an all-day menu with authentic dishes, said Frank Lena, who started working with owners Simon and Yuki Shi after the couple opened their first restaurant in Delavan, Wisconsin, in 2004.

The couple made the Algonquin location their largest restaurant, after they weighed sites in Chicago, Crystal Lake, Naperville and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

"My goodness gracious, the traffic there – people flock to that area for every kind of business," Lena said. "What they liked about it the most was the location. Any business today is about location, location, location."

The newest Japanese eatery in Algonquin also is authentically decorated with Japanese sculptures Simon and Yuki Shi imported from their native country. The decor, amenities and menu all are meant to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers, Lena said.

Separated from the main dining area, the six hibachi tables, where cooks prepare meals directly in front of customers, also can be reserved for birthday and other private parties. Yo Shi Japanese in Algonquin also will have a carryout service.

Along with sushi, the menu features house specialties such as teriyaki chicken and the "sizzling teriyaki salmon" laid over a bed of noodles, Lena said.

Simon and Yuki Shi entered the food service industry more than two decades ago after emigrating from Japan. They ventured on their own with their first Yo Shi Japanese restaurant in Delavan and opened a second location in Gurnee in 2009.

In Algonquin, the owners will face competition with Kobe Japanese Steak House and Woow Sushi offering similar items along Randall Road in the village. But Yo Shi Japanese will provide customers with personalized service and delicious food, Lena said.

"They make you feel like family when you come there," he said. "The food is outstanding. There are no shortcuts. Everything is prepared properly to the customer's liking."

• Located at 2523 N. County Line Road, Algonquin, Yo Shi Japanese operates 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sundays.

• For information, call 262-740-2223 or visit facebook.com/YoshiJapaneseAlgonquin/