Hayashi Japanese Restaurant in Gurnee, Illinois

Hayashi Japanese Restaurant is located on Grand Avenue in Gurnee, which is a northern suburb of Chicago. The restaurant in located in a small strip mall in the vicinity of Gurnee Mills Outlet Shopping Mall. Six Flags Great America Amusement Park is another big attraction in Gurnee. Gurnee is in Lake County, Illinois.

Hayashi is located in a small strip mall on the south side on Grand Avenue, which is also known as Route 132. The intimate restaurant has a sushi bar with a counter and several tables. When we arrived at the restaurant, on a Saturday night, there were diners at the sushi bar and many of the tables were occupied..

We arrived as a table for two and were seated upon entry. The sushi bar is located near the entry, the tables sit in two rows. We were seated at a table along the wall. The hostess handed us menus along with white forms and a pencil so we could make checks in front of the sushi we wanted to order.

In addition to sushi, the menu had cooked entrees. Entrees featured steak, salmon, shrimp and chicken. The entrees were prepared in teriyaki, barbeque or other sauces. There were tempura shrimp and vegetables. Entrees were in the $10 to $20 range.

The server came to the table and took our drink orders. I ordered a warm sake and my companion ordered a glass of white wine. We also ordered a cup of green tea each. The beverages were brought to the table promptly by the smiling server.

She asked us if we were ready to place our orders, and we replied that we were. We did not order sushi, although the trays of sushi that other people were eating appeared to be good, artistically displayed and freshly prepared.

I ordered a combination platter, with teriyaki salmon and tempura. My companion ordered a dish called ginger steak. The server asked us if we wanted soup or salad to go with our entrees. I have had both in the past, and enjoyed them so much that I had a hard time choosing between the two. I ordered a cup of miso soup and my companion ordered the salad.