age and is prized by Sumi and his brother as an amazing natural talent in the food industry. Christopher has worked on and off at Suehiro and is currently working in Aspen’s food and wine scene. Suehiro Japanese Restaurant is by far one of the Grand Valley’s longest operating eateries. Sumi attributes the restaurant’s success to high quality fresh food, loyal customers, hard work, and hiring good employees. Head sushi chef and manager, Joel Thatcher, is native to the Grand Valley and a graduate from the Culinary Arts Program at Colorado Mesa University’s Western Colorado Community College campus. Joel has worked for Sumi for 14 years and loves his boss. Joel takes pride in the freshness and the quality of Suehiro’s food and family atmosphere. Early photos of the restaurant show Sumi posing beautifully in a traditional teal Kimono, and one can see that not much has changed in almost three decades. Yes, carpet has been removed, the sushi bar enlarged, and the front remodeled to be more comfortable for eagerly waiting patrons, but overall the energy has remained at a constant high. “People love it here. Customers are family. Everyone is welcome,” Steven states. “Come in sweats or come in a tuxedo, no one is out of place here.”
The Tokyo Peach Roll was first created to highlight and support local Palisade peaches and was only offered seasonally. However, due to customer demand – some patrons going as far as bringing their own peaches to the restaurant – the Tokyo Peach Roll is now on the menu year-round.
“Come in sweats or come in a tuxedo, no one is out of place here.” - Chef Steven Boyd The Tokyo Peach roll has crispy tempura fried shrimp, tender tuna, creamy avocado, cream cheese, spicy siracha and sweet peaches, rolled in a pink soy wrap with savory unagi (eel) sauce. It is wrapped in a soy wrap instead of seaweed to as not mix the sweetness of the peaches with the slight fishiness of nori. A perfect balance of flavors and textures, it’s not surprising it’s a favorite. Dynamite Shrimp, another local favorite, is crispy tempura fried shrimp, tossed in spicy mayo, baked and served over steamed white rice. The K.A. (Kick Ass) Roll has eel, avocado, Kanikama (Japanese imitation
crab meat), cream cheese and spicy siracha, and is tempura fried and topped with unagi sauce. Need I say more? Once you have visited Suehiro, you become family. Steven says he gives 40 hugs a day to customers as they pop their head into the kitchen to say “hello.” Joel says the only problem he has experienced during his career at Suehiro, in an occasional “hangry” patron waiting to be seated. Suehiro regulars have become a large part of the restaurant so much so that many of the menu selections have been named after them. The RV Roll was named after frequent patrons Ray and Vikki, and the White Star is dedicated to the owner of a long-standing downtown barbershop. The popular R.V. Roll has Ahi tuna, creamy avocado, and bright orange masago (roe). The White Star is comprised of spicy Yellowtail tuna, avocado, and masago with crispy tempura crumbs on the outside. R Suehiro is located at 541 Main Street in Grand Junction’s historic downtown. Open Monday thru Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch; and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner. (970) 245-9548
Though it was difficult for Sumi, Steven and Joel to come to a consensus, the trio agreed that Suehiro’s signature sushi roll and top customer pick is the Tokyo Peach, followed by the Dynamite Shrimp and the K.A. Roll. Pictured is the Rainbow Roll: Inside and out Tuna, yellowtail, salmon, masago, separated by avocado and sushi rice.
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