Driving south from Portland might not seem like the obvious choice for dinner, but Oregon City holds a dining secret that changes the game completely.
Sumo Sushi & Grill has transformed the old Shari’s location into something far more exciting than anyone expected.
Robots zip between tables delivering fresh sushi while diners scan QR codes to order from an overwhelming menu of options. The all-you-can-eat format means you can try everything from delicate sashimi to sizzling teppanyaki without worrying about the bill climbing with each order.
Whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or just someone who loves a good dining adventure, this spot delivers an experience that makes the drive worthwhile every single time.
Two-Tier Pricing System That Actually Makes Sense
Choosing between Silver and Gold tiers might sound complicated, but the system works brilliantly once you understand it. Silver tier starts at just $19.95 for weekday lunch, giving you access to a solid selection of sushi rolls, appetizers, and the hot buffet that keeps everyone happy.
Gold tier bumps things up to $23.95 for lunch and $35.95 for dinner, unlocking premium items like fresh sashimi, wagyu options, and specialty rolls that justify every extra dollar. The price difference feels reasonable when you see what lands on your table.
Most first-timers wonder if Gold is worth it. The answer depends on how adventurous your palate runs and whether you want access to higher-end fish cuts.
Families with kids often split the difference, ordering Gold for adults while keeping kids on Silver.
Weekend pricing climbs slightly, hitting $30 per adult for the full experience. That price tag includes the buffet, unlimited boba drinks, and enough food variety to satisfy even the pickiest eaters in your group.
Made-to-Order Sushi That Arrives Fresh Every Time
Forget sad buffet sushi sitting under heat lamps for hours. Every single roll, nigiri piece, and hand roll gets made fresh after you order it through the table’s QR code system.
The kitchen moves fast, churning out orders in waves while maintaining quality that rivals sit-down sushi restaurants. Rice arrives warm, fish stays cold, and everything tastes like it was crafted moments before hitting your table.
You can order 15 items every 15 minutes per table, which sounds limiting until you realize how quickly food arrives. The system prevents waste while ensuring nothing sits around losing freshness.
Smart diners load up their first order knowing dishes will flow steadily.
Popular items like the snow crab hand roll and mini sumo roll disappear quickly because they taste incredible. The fish quality exceeds expectations for an all-you-can-eat spot, sitting comfortably between conveyor belt sushi and premium restaurants.
Even picky eaters find rolls they love.
Robot Servers That Steal the Show
Watching robots glide between tables never gets old, even after your third visit. These little servers hum along programmed paths, delivering plates while chirping friendly greetings that make kids giggle and adults pull out their phones.
The automation doesn’t replace human staff but complements them perfectly. Real servers handle drinks, answer questions, and check on tables while robots ferry heavy trays of sushi from kitchen to table without breaking a sweat.
Some diners worry automation feels cold or impersonal. The opposite proves true here because staff members have more time for genuine interactions when robots handle the heavy lifting.
You get better service overall.
Kids absolutely love the robots, turning dinner into entertainment that keeps them engaged between courses. Parents appreciate the distraction while waiting for food.
The novelty factor alone makes Sumo worth visiting, but the robots also serve a practical purpose by speeding up delivery times significantly.
Hot Buffet That Complements the Sushi Perfectly
The buffet line might seem like an afterthought, but it saves the day while you wait for made-to-order items. Chicken skewers steal the show, earning rave reviews from nearly every customer who tries them.
Gyoza, edamame, miso soup, and seafood boil sit alongside crispy tempura and various fried options that satisfy cravings for something hot and crunchy. The selection rotates slightly but maintains consistent quality throughout service.
Seafood lovers pile plates high with the crawfish-style boil, which delivers surprising flavor for a buffet item. Mussels appear regularly, giving diners a chance to try something different between sushi rounds.
Salads and cucumber dishes provide lighter options for those pacing themselves through the 90-minute time limit. The buffet keeps food fresh by monitoring items closely and replacing trays before anything sits too long.
Smart strategy involves hitting the buffet first while your initial sushi order gets prepared.
Unlimited Boba Bar Worth the Trip Alone
Free-flowing Thai tea and mango juice with unlimited boba pearls sounds too good to be true, but Sumo delivers exactly that. The drink station sits ready for constant refills, letting you experiment with flavors throughout your meal.
Most all-you-can-eat spots charge extra for drinks, making this inclusion genuinely special. Kids especially love customizing their boba drinks, mixing flavors and adjusting sweetness levels to their preference.
Thai tea fans find themselves in heaven, sipping cup after cup of the creamy, sweet beverage that pairs surprisingly well with sushi. Mango juice offers a lighter, fruitier option that cleanses the palate between courses.
The boba pearls stay fresh and chewy, avoiding the mushy texture that plagues cheaper establishments. You can grab drinks whenever you want without flagging down servers or worrying about upcharges.
This feature alone adds significant value to the overall experience, especially for families where drink costs typically add up quickly.
Premium Gold Tier Items That Elevate the Experience
Upgrading to Gold tier unlocks a completely different dining experience. Fresh sashimi arrives sliced thick and cold, showcasing fish quality that matches dedicated sushi restaurants charging double the price.
Teppanyaki options let you order grilled items cooked to perfection, while shabu-shabu provides interactive cooking fun at your table. The variety jumps dramatically, giving adventurous eaters dozens of premium choices beyond basic rolls.
Wagyu appears on the Gold menu, though availability varies and early diners snag it before later crowds arrive. Short ribs in black pepper sauce earn consistent praise, delivering rich, savory flavors that balance lighter sushi courses perfectly.
The jump from Silver to Gold costs roughly $6-8 depending on timing, but the expanded menu access pays off quickly. Serious sushi fans find Gold tier essential, while casual diners might feel satisfied with Silver.
Testing both options over multiple visits helps determine which fits your preferences best.
Strategic Ordering System That Maximizes Value
The 15-items-every-15-minutes rule confuses first-timers until they realize it’s genius. This system keeps food flowing steadily while preventing waste and ensuring freshness throughout your 90-minute dining window.
Experienced diners front-load their first order with 15 items knowing the kitchen will pace delivery naturally. Food arrives in waves as dishes finish, creating a steady stream rather than overwhelming your table all at once.
Smaller groups of two to four people benefit most from this system. Larger parties sometimes feel constrained since the 15-item limit applies per table, not per person.
Ordering strategically means mixing quick items like nigiri with slower dishes like ramen.
Some orders occasionally go missing during busy periods, but attentive staff quickly resolve issues when notified. The QR code ordering feels smooth and intuitive after your first round.
Watching the timer and planning your next order while eating current dishes becomes a fun game that maximizes the experience.
Atmosphere That Erases All Memory of Shari’s
Walking into Sumo reveals zero trace of the Shari’s that previously occupied this space. The complete transformation creates a modern, clean atmosphere with thoughtful Asian-inspired design elements that feel upscale without being pretentious.
Comfortable booths provide privacy while maintaining an open, airy feeling throughout the dining room. Lighting strikes the perfect balance between bright enough to see your food and dim enough to feel relaxed during dinner.
The restaurant stays remarkably clean despite constant traffic and the buffet setup. Staff members continuously bus tables and wipe down surfaces, maintaining standards that exceed typical all-you-can-eat establishments.
Background noise stays manageable except near the kitchen where order notification beeps can grate on nerves during extended stays. Requesting a table away from the kitchen solves this minor issue.
The overall vibe skews casual and family-friendly, attracting diverse crowds from date nights to large family gatherings celebrating special occasions.
Service That Justifies the Automatic Gratuity
The automatic 12% gratuity raises eyebrows until you experience the service level firsthand. Staff members hustle constantly, checking tables frequently, answering questions patiently, and fixing issues before you even notice them.
Servers handle the unique demands of all-you-can-eat dining with impressive grace, managing QR code questions, dietary restrictions, and special requests while maintaining genuine friendliness. Multiple reviewers specifically mention staff going above and beyond expectations.
The manager walks the floor greeting guests and ensuring satisfaction, creating accountability that shows in every interaction. This level of attention feels rare in casual dining, let alone at an all-you-can-eat restaurant.
Even critics of automatic gratuity admit the staff earns every penny here. Plates disappear quickly, drinks get refilled without asking, and problems get resolved immediately.
The combination of human servers and robot assistants creates efficiency that benefits everyone. Adding extra tip beyond the automatic 12% feels natural when service impresses consistently.
Smart Booking and Location That Saves Time
Finding Sumo at 19001 South Beavercreek Road in Oregon City takes about 25 minutes from downtown Portland, making it closer than you’d think. The location offers ample parking and easy highway access that beats fighting downtown traffic.
The online waitlist system changes everything for smart diners. Adding your name before leaving home cuts lobby waiting time dramatically, especially during peak weekend dinner hours when waits stretch past an hour.
Weekday lunches offer the best value and shortest waits, with many diners reporting 15-minute waits or less on Thursdays. Weekend evenings require patience or strategic timing, arriving right at opening or after the dinner rush subsides.
Hours run from 11 AM to 9:30 PM most days, extending to 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Calling ahead at 503-342-9500 confirms current wait times before making the drive.
The restaurant also offers bento boxes to-go for those wanting Sumo quality without the full dining experience.
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