Serious Sanji Restaurant Coming to Apple Valley Time Square Center
TLDR
Serious Sanji Apple Valley LLC got its on-sale wine and 3.2% malt liquor license approved on April 23, 2026.
The restaurant is under construction at the Time Square Shopping Center on 150th Street.
The license kicks in once the city gives a final certificate of occupancy and the health department approves the restaurant license.
No one spoke at the public hearing — not even the applicant.
Apple Valley has another new restaurant on the way. At its April 23, 2026 meeting, the Apple Valley City Council unanimously approved an on-sale wine and 3.2% malt liquor license for Serious Sanji Apple Valley LLC, a new restaurant under construction at the Time Square Shopping Center. It's the second new restaurant the council greenlit on the same night, alongside the Moe's Southwest Grill approval.
What Got Approved
The license is for on-sale wine and 3.2% malt liquor — meaning the restaurant can serve wine and lower-alcohol beer to people dining in. It does not include hard liquor or full-strength beer.
City Administrator Christina Scipioni told the council that police and city staff had reviewed the application and found no reason to deny it. The license becomes effective once the restaurant gets its final certificate of occupancy and the health department signs off on the restaurant license. Both of those are pending because the space is still under construction.
What We Don't Know Yet
A few important details didn't come up at the meeting:
The restaurant's exact concept, cuisine, and menu were not discussed
No opening date was provided
The applicant did not attend the meeting, so there were no answers to questions like ownership history or branding
If you're guessing this might be related to a hibachi concept based on the name, that's a fair guess — but it wasn't confirmed at the meeting, so we're treating it as an open question for now.
How the Public Hearing Went
The council opened a public hearing as required by Minnesota liquor licensing rules. Nobody from the audience spoke. Christina asked whether the applicant was present — they weren't. The hearing was closed within seconds.
Council member Grendahl moved to approve the resolution, council member Hayert seconded, and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Why the Time Square Shopping Center Is Worth Watching
The Time Square Shopping Center has been a quiet hotspot for new restaurant activity in Apple Valley. Spice Village, an Indian restaurant and grocery store, opened in the former TCF Bank space at the center back in 2025. Now another new restaurant is on the way — the center is filling out as a multi-cuisine destination on 150th Street.
The Bottom Line
Serious Sanji is officially licensed to serve wine and beer at its Apple Valley location once the construction and health inspections wrap up. We'll be watching for a public opening announcement and an actual menu reveal. With [Moe's also approved on the same night](LINK_TO_TOPIC_POST: moes-southwest-grill-apple-valley), Apple Valley's restaurant landscape is shifting fast — and the downtown corridor keeps getting busier.
FAQ
What kind of restaurant is Serious Sanji?
The meeting didn't cover the cuisine or concept. The applicant wasn't there to answer questions. We'll update once more details surface.
Where is Serious Sanji located in Apple Valley?
It's going into the Time Square Shopping Center on 150th Street. The exact suite wasn't specified at the council meeting.
When does Serious Sanji open?
No opening date was given. The restaurant is still under construction and needs both a certificate of occupancy and a health department sign-off before it can open.
Will they serve cocktails or hard liquor?
No. The approved license is only for on-sale wine and 3.2% malt liquor — not cocktails or full-strength beer.
Did anyone object to the license at the public hearing?
No. The public hearing was opened, no one spoke, and it was closed without comment.
