With the increasing popularity of sushi, it is easy to go anywhere in Boca and find one such establishment. The popularity of sushi restaurants is only matched by the high, even ridiculous prices, as well as the often sub-par quality of the food. Attempting to combat these issues prevalent in the sushi restaurant industry, SanTos Modern American Buffet and Sushi offers a new, weird idea: a sushi and American grill buffet combination.

Food: What SanTos lacks in other areas, it more than makes up for in food. The myriad of the sushi roll selection is mouthwatering and seemingly endless. Trying every single one of these different types proved that each one of the plethora of sushi types is delicious. No other sushi restaurant in Boca can offer the variety that SanTos does. The American section includes seasoned chicken, grilled steak with several sauce options, and also many vegetable selections. The American grill section, while good on its own merit, pales in comparison to the seafood. Then, at the far end of the buffet is the dessert section. SanTos offers some of the most delicious desserts in Boca. With napoleon and mousse cakes, tiramisu, crème brulee, and Thai doughnuts, among other things, you’ll want to save room for dessert.

Atmosphere: Crammed in the corner of the Village Shoppes of Coconut Creek at 4960 Sate Road 7, the restaurant itself is physically difficult to find. Once found, the inside feels cramped and awkward. The two dining rooms are split by the interior’s awkward shape and juxtaposition of the buffet. Continually getting up and down from your seat, as one tends to do at a buffet, can prove arduous. The tables are laid out in a strange design, often causing a collision of two people if they are trying to exit their seats at the same time. The decoration can be described as “contemporary blandness” due to the boring art deco décor.

Service: Being a buffet, service is not a paramount concern, but SanTos leaves something to be desired. Used plates can stack up quickly, and it’s important to bus them in a timely manner to avoid crowded tables. Several times I returned with a fresh plate to find my old ones still on the table. The wait staff, which mostly focuses on beverages, is lack-luster and took 20 minutes to deliver my soda.

Final Verdict: 4/5

If you can handle the slow service and annoying layout, then SanTos is definitely the best sushi restaurant in town. The wide selection of sushi and desserts, all for one single price per person is a needed change from the local run-of-the-mill sushi places, as well as a great deal.