Cousins, Oscar and Frank Salsas have spent many years in the restaurant business. Oscar still owns one in New York, but Frank returned to Aiken a couple of years ago where he had lived for 20 years. Both have found success serving Mexican and Japanese cuisine. When Sombreros closed in the fall of last year, Frank said, “This is where we need to be.”
A couple of weeks ago, the former Sombreros location at 1695 Richland Avenue East became Okinawa Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bowl, with Oscar as owner and Frank as manager.
“I was at another local Mexican place here for about a year, but it just didn’t work out. That was when we decided a new Japanese restaurant would be a good fit for Aiken,” Frank explained.
Currently, they are building the business by getting to know their customers and learning what they like. The menu offers a wide variety to choose from including hibachi, Rock shrimp, and dishes that have already become customer favorites that include Asparagus Tempura and Fried Calamari.
For busy business owners, employees, or meetings, Bento boxes featuring most items on their menu can be picked up or delivered.
We asked Salsas if there was any affiliation between Okinawa Japanese Steakhouse and Suski Bowl and a similarly named restaurant in North Augusta, Okinawa Sushi & Steak House.
“No. We didn’t know of them when we named our restaurant.”
Right now, the Okinawa restaurant in Aiken is slowly building their brand and focusing on their customers, but Salsas didn’t rule out expanding in the future.
The restaurant is open 7 days a week and the hours vary slightly. For more information, check their Facebook page.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
