When Cafe Lola closed last summer, downtowners expected the opening of Bistro 8 to fill the 12 East Broad Street spot, a sandwich and panini joint offering fresh made wraps and salads. That venture never quite got off the ground, and on Monday, February 25th, Maki Go had a soft opening instead. This exciting new concept is one desperately needed in the lunch scene. Here, customers can essentially make their own sushi rolls from a vast variety of ingredients.
Make-your-own sushi is an emerging concept coming out of California, where chef Jack Chantharangsy has been honing his skills for the past few years. When the doors failed to open on Bistro 8, he saw an opportunity to bring the simple yet innovative model to Columbus.
“It’s a Chipotle-style concept with sushi,” said Chantharangsy. “We want people to be able to come in and customize their own sushi roll…everything from the wrap, the rice, the fresh ingredients and toppings. We want to offer Downtown Columbus something fresh and new.”
You will be able to choose from standards like Big Eye and Yellowfin Tuna and Salmon, to less traditional fare like Honey Soy chicken. There will also be a wide assortment of dressings and salsas, including a spicy wasabi sauce and the house “maki go” sauce, as well as salads and hot cups of miso soup. The rolls are large and wrapped for easy dine-in or take-out consumption.
Chef Jack and his crew are currently phasing in a new menu you can try from 11am to 3pm weekdays. The goal is to try and incorporate new things into an old tradition to create something that’s still comforting and familiar while being quickly-prepared and reasonably priced. There will be changes made as Maki Go makes its home on the Downtown lunch scene, so check in often for what’s newest and freshest.
More information can be found on the CU Messageboard.
Photos by Craig Ferance.
