It’s Official: Umiya Sushi Is Coming To One Of Lafayette’s Most Storied Restaurant Locations

After years of restaurant openings, closings, speculation, and more than a little local lore, we finally have a name for what's coming to one of Lafayette's most talked-about properties.

Umiya Sushi, a growing all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant chain, is planning to open at 3151 Johnston Street, taking over the former Drago's Seafood Restaurant building at the corner of Johnston Street and Doucet Road.

The news comes after months of questions about the property, including recent activity at the vacant building and an earlier report that hinted at a Texas-based restaurant chain without identifying the business.

Now, thanks to a new report from Ben Powers at Developing Lafayette, the mystery surrounding the next chapter of this Midtown Lafayette location appears to be solved.

Umiya Sushi Identified As New Restaurant Coming To Johnston Street

According to Developing Lafayette, a recently filed permit with Lafayette Consolidated Government under the name UMIYALA LLC points to Umiya Sushi as the restaurant preparing to move into the former Drago's building.

Umiya, pronounced "oo-MEE-yuh," is a Texas-founded, family-operated Japanese restaurant chain with locations in multiple states, including Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The restaurant specializes in all-you-can-eat sushi, seafood, and grilled dishes, but there's an important distinction between Umiya and a traditional buffet.

Instead of walking up to a buffet line, customers order from a menu while seated at their tables.

What's On The Menu At Umiya Sushi?

Based on menus from existing Umiya locations, Lafayette diners could have plenty of options beyond sushi.

The restaurant's offerings include sashimi, specialty sushi rolls, poke bowls, hibachi-style chicken, steak and shrimp, teriyaki dishes, fried rice, noodles, tempura, soups, salads, and appetizers.

Some of the chain's specialty rolls include the Umiya Super Roll, featuring snow crab, avocado, seared salmon, crispy potatoes, and black garlic mayo. Other options include the Rainbow Roll, Mango Delight Roll, Shaggy Dog Roll, and even a Crawfish Roll.

Several existing Umiya locations also feature Japanese hot pot, which allows customers to cook meats, seafood, and vegetables in broth at their tables. However, it has not been confirmed whether the Lafayette restaurant will offer hot pot.

According to Developing Lafayette, all-you-can-eat lunch prices at existing locations generally range from $21 to $23 per adult, while dinner runs around $33. Lafayette-specific pricing has not been announced.

Another Chapter For One Of Lafayette's Most Storied Restaurant Properties

If you've lived in Lafayette long enough, you already know that 3151 Johnston Street has quite a history.

Long before Drago's opened, the property was home to several businesses and restaurants, including Shoe Town, Toucan's, Bootie's, Serrano's Salsa Company, Bako's, and Mellow Mushroom.

Some lasted longer than others, and over time, the address developed a reputation that has become a running conversation among locals whenever another restaurant is rumored to be moving in.

Drago's closed in February 2024, leaving the building vacant and adding another chapter to the property's history.

What's especially interesting is that the surrounding Midtown area continues to support established restaurants and newer businesses. From Judice Inn and Zea to nearby destinations like Moncus Park, the location sits in one of Lafayette's most recognizable commercial corridors.

That's part of what has kept people so curious about what might finally work at this particular address.

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Months Of Speculation Finally Lead To An Answer

Recently, signs of activity at the former Drago's building renewed interest in the property.

An earlier report from The Acadiana Advocate indicated that a Texas-based restaurant chain was preparing to open there and that the building would require approximately 10 months of interior renovations. The report, which subsequently became unavailable through its original link, offered a few clues but left the restaurant's identity unanswered.

That only fueled more speculation, with locals tossing around everything from Asian buffets to other national restaurant chains.

Now, the UMIYALA LLC permit reported by Developing Lafayette provides the clearest indication yet of what's planned.

An exact opening date has not been confirmed, and additional details about the Lafayette restaurant's menu, pricing, and amenities are still to come.

For now, one of Lafayette's longest-running restaurant mysteries finally has a name.

The next question is whether Umiya Sushi can turn this storied Johnston Street address into a lasting success.

We certainly welcome them to town and wish them the best of luck!