Affordable Sushi for Pre-Thanksgiving Exodus

I was plotting my pre-Thanksgiving escape.

It was early in the afternoon and I was attempting to get out of Morristown and down to Monmouth County before everyone else decided to duck out early (the plan was only mildly successful, but that's for another article).

But, I was hungry. And, I still needed to eat somewhere for this week's "Morristown Munchies." Many of my quick stops had already been exhausted, including , and the excellent . Where could I grab something I could review and do so without much dillydallying?

Then I remembered the regarding the sushi found at : "I stand by my strong recommendation for KC Sushi aka the sushi counter in the produce market - get the Pink Salmon roll. Good food to go, can't complain."

It could be easy to ignore–either deliberately or unintentionally–this Lafayette Avenue spot, tucked around the corner of the same shopping center that's home to Staples. On the day I went, however, it seemed many had discovered this jewel hidden in plain sight.

A nice man worked behind a very small counter off to the side of the drab, bustling store. His sushi case was thinning out–perhaps there had been a rush before I had gotten there–and he was working on some more selections. He said I could order from the paper menu, or choose anything already made, as it had just been prepared. Opting for quick, I grabbed two containers and made my way to pay.

Once outside and in my car, I gave a little more thought to what I had just bought. One was the standard Spicy Tuna roll, the other a little more special "Crunchy Roll," featuring a blend of tuna, salmon and yellowtail, with just enough crunch to make one think they're eating something far worse for them.

The first thing I noticed were the prices. I had already said . Here, at $4.95, I felt I was getting far more value without sacrificing quality. This was indeed fresh, the tuna didn't taste cheap, and I polished off the roll in short order.

But, it was the Crunchy Roll that won my heart and is what I will keep me returning to Morris Gourmet Farm. Even at the pricier $8.95, I did not feel I was getting ripped off. Rather, I was getting a well-assembled, quality product. As I thought, those crunchies, while doing little to alter the flavor, did enough for my tactile senses to be important. And the three-fish blend was delicious.

Sushi is everywhere. EVERYWHERE. It's like pizza in New Jersey. Chinese take-out. Sushi. It's part of the landscape these days. One benefit to that is you don't have to settle for the first place you see. Because, chances are there's another one two storefronts down. Given the glut, you also don't have to judge the book by its cover. As KC Sushi in the Morris Gourmet Farm proves, sometimes all you need is a small counter, some fish and tucked-away, somewhat-drab supermarket.