Xaga Sushi Set to Expand to Merrick

Xaga Sushi is on its way to Merrick.

The Hewlett-based company is set to open a Merrick restaurant sometime between August and September.  Xaga is taking over the location that Pantanos currently occupies at 217 Merrick Rd.

Tom Li, 28, co-owner of the restaurant said, "Xaga is an upscale, contemporary restaurant that is also affordable.

"We have standout food that will differ us from our competitors like Koban," he said.  "Our food is fresh and enjoyable."

Although Xaga Sushi also serves Asian-fusion foods, the restaurant is primarily an attraction for sushi lovers.

 "We have a few specialty items on the menu that separates us from others too," Li said.  "The spicy tuna cracker is one of our specialty items.  It's my personal favorite."

Li said the Hewlett restaurant is busy every evening, specifically on Friday nights. 

"We usually have a lot of female customers," he said.

Li and his partners, Louis Ling, 28, and Mei Zhang, 32, chose to expand into Merrick because "the town is similar to Hewlett," Li said.

"The Merrick restaurant will be fancier than the Xaga in Hewlett," Li said.  "The space is much bigger also."

Li, Ling, and Zhang, moved from Fugian, China to Flushing, Queens 10 years ago.

After being in the restaurant business for 10 years, Li and his partners looked to open their own sushi restaurant.  Xaga's Hewlett location has been open for a year and a half.

Though there was no specific reason for opening Xaga in Hewlett, the town proved to be a great choice for the owners.

"I love their spicy crunchy tuna roll and shrimp tempura roll," Stacie Wittman, a Xaga regular, said.  "Their sushi is always fresh and their service is quick and on the ball," she said.

With a loyal fan base in Hewlett, Xaga will now look to make its mark in Merrick with plans to expand to other towns down the road.

For more information, visit the Xaga Sushi website.