Popular Townsville sushi store Mr Marco Sushi Inu expands to Domain Central

After tantalising tastebuds in the northern suburbs, a popular Townsville sushi restaurant has begun delighting diners at its new central location. See where.

Paolo, Lucas, 2, and Sharna Baldonado are excited to expand Mr Marco Sushi Inu into Domain Central. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Riding high after building up a cult following in Deeragun with their unique blend of Japanese and Australian cuisine, the family behind Mr Marco Sushi Inu has delighted foodies by opening a second restaurant at Domain Central last week.

Named after their pooch Marco, the business was founded by Paolo and Sharna Baldonado, a husband-and-wife team, at Shop 5/2-10 Deeragun Rd, Deeragun, three years ago.

Having previously worked as a chef in Sydney and in Townsville sushi restaurants, Mr Baldonado had been looking for the right opportunity to become his own boss and showcase his culinary skills.

Featuring distinctive Tokyo-style pop culture graphics and branding, Mr Marco Sushi pleases a wide demographic of diners with its delicious Japanese selection of foods, including sushi, ramen, and karaage bowls, alongside more conventional Australian fare like crumbled chicken.

“Our business is really focused on providing fast, healthy food and friendly service,” Mrs Baldonado said

Bombarded by requests from customers wanting another Mr Marco Sushi to open in a more centralised Townsville location, the couple seized on an opportunity to reach a broader audience by taking over the spaces formerly occupied by Miss Sushi and Charcoal Chicken at Domain Central.

The family behind Mr Marco Sushi Inu – Paolo, Lucas, 2, and Sharna Baldonado. Picture: Leighton Smith.

She said they had been working on their branding, establishing a customer base and ensuring that Deeragun store had become independent before opening at their new location, which was expected to employ between 25-30 new workers.

“We felt like now was the right opportunity to expand the brand and Domain had reached out to us and let us know that there was an opportunity to come in here,” she said.

“The shop is bigger, it’s almost 100 square meters (but) the location is what sold us … we wanted this corner because of the exposure.

“It was really important for us in this store to have more seating so that people could order and then actually sit down and enjoy their meal straight away … there’s heaps (of seating) inside and outside.”

Mr Marco Sushi Inu store at Domain Central has plenty more space for diners, with more furniture on the way. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Inside the new Mr Marco Sushi Inu store at Domain Central. Picture: Leighton Smith.

The pet loving family will also be selling pet bandannas and other pet products in a small retail section, with the proceeds going towards international charity The Paws, “which provides support, assistance rehabilitation to dogs all over the world that are in need”.

Located at 103-141 Duckworth St, Mr Marco Sushi Domain Central is open from 10am – 8pm daily.

For more information, visit: mrmarcosushi.com.au

Originally published as Popular Townsville sushi store Mr Marco Sushi Inu expands to Domain Central