‘Sushi Mike’ on a roll

Article was originally posted on January 28, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Mike Ham, owner of Tanoshii Sushi Mike’s, cannot speak enough about his loyal customers, especially the onces from the northern suburbs who for more than a decade have regularly made the trek to visit either of his two Chicago restaurants, one on Clark Street in Andersonville and the other on Randolph Street, aka “Restaurant Row.”

It was a customer, he says with a laugh, who years ago gave him the nickname “Sushi Mike,” which became his moniker when he made the leap from chef to restaurant owner. And it was another enthusiastic patron, Zhaneta Rakhman, who encouraged him to open his third location in Highland Park, where she is co-owner of Posh Nails just down the block, when the space 1935 Sheridan Road became available. He opened it in September.

“I got lucky with this locations,” he said recently. “It’s right on the corner (at Sheridan Road and Park Avenue), but it is not as congested as (Central Avenue) downtown.”

Highaldn Park is something of a sushi mecca, but as far as that goes, Ham proclaims, “I’m not here to compete with anybody.” Rather, he said he is only competing with himself to create unique flavors and presentations that his customers will enjoy. Nor is he interested in repeating what other sushi restaurants do.

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