I used to live by that Sakura in Ahwatukee. I drove by it several times a week because I frequented the Safeway and Los Taquitos. It was always empty so was curious how it stayed in business. It also closed down in 2021 (I think) and had a grand reopening out of nowhere. I had eaten there a few times too (all you can eat Sushi for $20) and I was typically the only person inside.
Much more of an evening place. The few times I was there it was pretty busy. Won’t be eating there again, obviously. They had a vehicle pursuit down in Ahwatukee between agents and a couple coyotes (not the animal) that ended with shots fired from the fleeing vehicle at agents WHILE on the road. The suspects ended up plowing into some poor person’s back wall along 48th. Made me worried as hell cause they didn’t say shit about it in the news for a while, it was only a couple blocks South or where my daughter went to daycare.
Not surprised. Last month I went to a location, and the people there were so incredibly clueless (the girl was trying so hard though, I felt so bad), and she was being watched so hard, I even told my mom I thought she was new. I hope they continue to check out more restaurants, nobody deserves this.
This is why the nail places make me so angry. There are so many young women working in there who don’t have a license and its indentured servitude and who knows what else.
I went here once with some coworkers and we all remarked about how nervous the workers were and how they were trying too hard in a restaurant setting. It seemed off to us throughout the entire meal. Now we know why.
“Federal agents raided the four restaurants and four houses last week, ending an operation that neighbors said was reported to local police as early as 2023.”
Why’d it take them years to act on this?
Takes time to build a case. They can’t just go ask if they’re running a stash house. They need Internet records (meta and phone companies can take months to get data back to law enforcement). Then you gotta go through the data. Plus try to find willing witnesses who will testify. 🤷♂️ something that involves 8 locations (probably more) can’t be easy or quick to investigate.
Because it was reported to police who are incompetent. The fact that ICE knew about it since March and just cleaned house is shocking though. Guess they're too busy abducting random brown people to do their actual job.
Theres two ices right now, the real one that has around 12000 agents and works on important cases like this one that actually helps people and their community. And the fake one that hires your average racist whos job just picks up random brown people. It's hard to remember that sometimes and I was biased reading the article.
There are many sushi restaurants in the east valley that are far better & not exploiting immigrants that were probably promised better.
Makkitto by bass pro, kodo in Gilbert. The string of restaurants on north power road - got sushi, zushi and zugoi. I went to Sakura once and it wasn’t up to my standards as a real sushi eater. Im sad for the victims in this abusive situation.
Yeah no not all you can eat.
Also lmao my bad ? Quality food is quality food. As someone who cooks & only goes out for certain cuisines made better at a restaurant I don’t want to pay for something subpar. To each their own, that’s my opinion. If that’s how you feel I’m sorry you feel that way.
Well they usually don't want to punish the people using illegal labor and still even support that, they seem to just want to detain and deport the workers (super smart)
It’s actually pretty common for Asian restaurants in the valley to have kitchen staff entirely made up of illegal workers, opening restaurants used to be one of the most popular way of getting immigration visa by opening businesses, so in order to lower cost, make money and get more relatives onto U.S. many restaurants also participate in trafficking.
It’s true. Our neighbor growing up was a Chinese man that started a restaurant. He got up & rolling & then started flying the men in the family over for a “visit” & they’d stay & work at his place. After a couple of years he had everyone moved over. And the US used to be a nation that honored hard working immigrants, so all of them got their legal status.
This was 40 years ago & the restaurant is still open & very successful.
Sorry to tell you, but all you can eat sushi places are the cardboard pizza equivalent of Japanese food. Real sushi are more expensive and few can afford it. The sushi they sell at some Frys in the valley are decent for the price, but nowhere close to real sushi.
I looked at their website and it looks like they’re using AI generated sushi images too.
https://sakurasushiphoenix.com/
Lmao it’s just comical
Nah thats 100000000% ai
I used to live by that Sakura in Ahwatukee. I drove by it several times a week because I frequented the Safeway and Los Taquitos. It was always empty so was curious how it stayed in business. It also closed down in 2021 (I think) and had a grand reopening out of nowhere. I had eaten there a few times too (all you can eat Sushi for $20) and I was typically the only person inside.
I used to go to Akita, and I’ve never seen it empty. It was pretty popular. Go figure.
This was our go-to sushi spot. It filled up during the dinner rush
Much more of an evening place. The few times I was there it was pretty busy. Won’t be eating there again, obviously. They had a vehicle pursuit down in Ahwatukee between agents and a couple coyotes (not the animal) that ended with shots fired from the fleeing vehicle at agents WHILE on the road. The suspects ended up plowing into some poor person’s back wall along 48th. Made me worried as hell cause they didn’t say shit about it in the news for a while, it was only a couple blocks South or where my daughter went to daycare.
I haven't been there recently but I had been a few times several years ago. It was fine, we liked it. Really glad we hadn't been back though... Jfc
Wow.
I used to eat there and never realized
I used to go to Akita all the time. Always thought the quality was pretty good for the price.
I guess that could explain how they kept the price down…
Not surprised. Last month I went to a location, and the people there were so incredibly clueless (the girl was trying so hard though, I felt so bad), and she was being watched so hard, I even told my mom I thought she was new. I hope they continue to check out more restaurants, nobody deserves this.
This is why the nail places make me so angry. There are so many young women working in there who don’t have a license and its indentured servitude and who knows what else.
I went here once with some coworkers and we all remarked about how nervous the workers were and how they were trying too hard in a restaurant setting. It seemed off to us throughout the entire meal. Now we know why.
“Federal agents raided the four restaurants and four houses last week, ending an operation that neighbors said was reported to local police as early as 2023.” Why’d it take them years to act on this?
Takes time to build a case. They can’t just go ask if they’re running a stash house. They need Internet records (meta and phone companies can take months to get data back to law enforcement). Then you gotta go through the data. Plus try to find willing witnesses who will testify. 🤷♂️ something that involves 8 locations (probably more) can’t be easy or quick to investigate.
Stupid 4th and 5th amendments… /s
Because it was reported to police who are incompetent. The fact that ICE knew about it since March and just cleaned house is shocking though. Guess they're too busy abducting random brown people to do their actual job.
Theres two ices right now, the real one that has around 12000 agents and works on important cases like this one that actually helps people and their community. And the fake one that hires your average racist whos job just picks up random brown people. It's hard to remember that sometimes and I was biased reading the article.
Naw bro ICE is ICE
Will this one is detaining the victims as "material witnesses." Probably in shitty detention centers and will then deport
The other comment about building a case is the reason. ICE only goes off on easy victims.
Police have no duty to provide services. Long standing precedent.
Because good sushi is hard to come by here.
The one in Scottsdale is right across the street from Hiro Sushi, which is excellent and the price point is only slightly higher.
But is it good sushi though?
Of course it’s good! their website says “Everything has just been fantastic! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.” 😆
I have ate at one of these spots before. The sushi was decent, like a 7/10
Ain’t that the truth
but did you truly need to ask this question ? it’s the police, they’re encouraged to be incompetent
Previous president probably didn't want them to enact. Also takes time to build a case.
And most people on reddit don't care they want cheap labor for their restaurants and fruit picking.
Cause PD didn’t care to do their jobs
and they say nothing happens in the East Valley
Sakura Sushi was the only restaurant I still went to, how could they do this to me 😭😭😭
Those monsters!
Are you ok?
There are many sushi restaurants in the east valley that are far better & not exploiting immigrants that were probably promised better.
Makkitto by bass pro, kodo in Gilbert. The string of restaurants on north power road - got sushi, zushi and zugoi. I went to Sakura once and it wasn’t up to my standards as a real sushi eater. Im sad for the victims in this abusive situation.
Most of them aren't all-you-can-eat
😒 what a pretentious thing to say....
What the hell is a real sushi eater?
they watch "Hiro dreams of sushi" every night before they go to bed, and they've never even seen a California roll. Only rolls with REAL krab meat.
/s
That's pretentious but "how could the restaurant trafficking workers do this to me" isn't?
Try Crazy Tuna or Junn Sushi! Both are all you can eat and delicious
Yeah no not all you can eat. Also lmao my bad ? Quality food is quality food. As someone who cooks & only goes out for certain cuisines made better at a restaurant I don’t want to pay for something subpar. To each their own, that’s my opinion. If that’s how you feel I’m sorry you feel that way.
To you?
Damn, we just found the Gilbert location FROM SUGGESTIONS ON THIS SUB this summer and it’s become our go-to spot after Junn increased prices
This is awful. Akita was my favorite sushi place in the valley, definitely not going back there if they're involved in these kinds of awful practices.
Hiro Sushi is right across the street! Best sushi I’ve had in the valley!
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Thank you brand new account
Their website uses all ai sushi too
These AI comments are like norm's hypocrisy joke.
"They traffic humans"
"No, it's worse -- they use AI in marketing."
I think it’s more that that’s a glaringly obvious thing that should have raised alarm bells earlier
I get what you're saying, but if you think that before AI, pictures in menus and ads were from the restaurant you were eating at, you are wrong.
Did I say I thought that? Of course those are staged. The AI is sus regardless
What? Shocking? Now start looking at nail salons!
Not familiar with these restaurants but I'll take any ICE raids with a grain of salt
This right here. Dont trust the gestapo. For such a seemingly huge crime, those are slap on the wrist charges.
Well they usually don't want to punish the people using illegal labor and still even support that, they seem to just want to detain and deport the workers (super smart)
Yeah, that's how you own the cons. Just stick your fingers in your ears and reject the evidence of your eyes and ears
Holy hell, why is the immigration shit always in Ahwatukee… shame too, I used to eat here occasionally.
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You're such a good person for defending the restaurant owners who are working these people like slaves.
It’s actually pretty common for Asian restaurants in the valley to have kitchen staff entirely made up of illegal workers, opening restaurants used to be one of the most popular way of getting immigration visa by opening businesses, so in order to lower cost, make money and get more relatives onto U.S. many restaurants also participate in trafficking.
Ya.....I dont think thats true at all lmao
It’s true. Our neighbor growing up was a Chinese man that started a restaurant. He got up & rolling & then started flying the men in the family over for a “visit” & they’d stay & work at his place. After a couple of years he had everyone moved over. And the US used to be a nation that honored hard working immigrants, so all of them got their legal status.
This was 40 years ago & the restaurant is still open & very successful.
Yeah that makes sense
As long as ICE stays away from the Top Happy Spa...
Sorry to tell you, but all you can eat sushi places are the cardboard pizza equivalent of Japanese food. Real sushi are more expensive and few can afford it. The sushi they sell at some Frys in the valley are decent for the price, but nowhere close to real sushi.