Downtown Milwaukee is about to get a little more animated. Sooshibay, the Kenosha-born conveyor belt sushi concept, is set to debut its new outpost tomorrow, bringing rotary-style sushi booths, a full bar and a sprawling menu into the mix. The space is planned for roughly 160 seats and is geared to handle everything from quick in-and-out lunches to late-night weekend crowds.
Iris Huang, one of the operators behind the project, confirmed the opening in an email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The outlet reports that the launch will roll out with conveyor-belt booths in service and regular hours starting that weekend. The restaurant’s Milwaukee page, which includes contact information, operating hours and online ordering for takeout, is live on Sooshibay.
Where it sits and what to expect
The new Milwaukee location lands in a street-level space at MSOE’s Grohmann Tower on Water Street, dropping a casual sushi stop right into one of the city’s busiest dining and nightlife strips. Building records and local coverage indicate the restaurant will span several thousand square feet and seat about 160 guests, according to BizTimes Milwaukee. The layout splits the room between conveyor-belt booths for grab-and-go plate picking and a more traditional dining area where servers handle orders.
Menu, plates and prices
Once that belt gets moving, it will carry dozens of small-plate sushi options alongside more than 30 signature rolls. Off the belt, the menu branches into soups, salads, ramen, poke bowls and sweets to wrap things up. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sooshibay uses six plate colors to mark price points, with orange plates at $2.99 on the low end and pink plates at $6.99 at the top. Staff count the stack of plates at the end of the meal to total the bill. The restaurant will also pour a full lineup from the bar, including draft beer, cocktails and nonalcoholic options.
How it fits in Milwaukee’s sushi scene
Milwaukee’s sushi game has been leveling up lately, with intimate omakase counters and chef-focused tasting menus drawing diners who do not mind splurging. Milwaukee Magazine has tracked that wave of higher-end spots, while local reports have noted conveyor-belt imports as part of downtown’s broader dining diversification. Sooshibay’s interactive, grab-a-plate format slots in as a more casual, approachable counterpoint that is likely to appeal to students, office workers and theater crowds along Water Street.
Hours, ordering and what to know before you go
The Sooshibay Milwaukee site lists opening hours beginning tomorrow, with weekday service starting around 11:30 a.m. and weekend hours stretching later into the night. Online ordering for takeout is available as well. Conveyor-booth seating is typically first come, first served, while the server-run tables handle regular ordering and, where offered, reservations. The restaurant encourages would-be guests to check its site for the latest on hours, menus and any soft-opening fine print before heading downtown…