Sushi Joe’s Makes the Leap from the Rio to UNLV, Sets an Opening Date

While UNLV is still carefully plotting its return to normal on-campus operations, two new tenants are almost ready to make big debuts on the ground floor of the University Gateway building a short distance away across Maryland Parkway.

Created and owned by chef Joe Richardson, Sushi Joe’s is announcing a July 3, 11 a.m. launch inside its 1,695-square-foot space at the intersection of Maryland Parkway and Dorothy Avenue, across the street from In-N-Out Burger.

A veteran of SushiSamba, Zuma, and BarMasa, Richardson had been operating Sushi Joe’s as a restaurant inside his own 172 music venue at the Rio Las Vegas resort before the shutdown. The future status of either venue has yet to be announced.

The sushi restaurant joins Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Roberto’s Taco Shop, and the under construction Pizza Forte. Brew Tea Bar, specialists in Taiwanese tea and boba, is also very close to a debut and currently hiring for its summer unveiling.

Expected to be open from 11.30 a.m. until late and already promising happy hour deals, Sushi Joe’s very early menu features teriyaki and katsu bowls, tempura, skewers and gyoza dishes, nigiri and sashimi, sushi rolls, and six-piece crudo choices.

• Honey Boba, Japanese Crepes, and Taiwanese Tea Head to the University Gateway Next [ELV]

• Sushi Joe’s to Expand from the Rio to the University District [ELV]