07/05/08

Osaka - good food, fair prices, very bad service

by sfresident2008

I just don't know why I came back to this restaurant, maybe because I was in the neighborhood and I had a craving for sushi, but let me tell you something: the food is good, the prices are fair, but the service is terrible, slow and inattentive. An example, my partner and I ordered Iced Tea. We got the Ice Tea, drank them down. We ordered our meal, and eventually got it, but the glasses of Iced Tea never got refilled and we had empty glasses for the entire meal. No water, nothing. When I got the check and I was filling out the tip, the waitress interjected if I wanted a refill. I simply said No, it was too late for that. We had gone to this place when it was filled with unknowing tourists and when it was pretty dead, the service remain as bad. BTW: I had never seen the sushi chefs talk to customers at the sushi bar. The chefs don't seem friendly. San Francisco have other restaurants that are far superior in quality of service than Osaka. If you are in the Castro neighborhood and you have a craving for sushi, go the extra mile and go to a better sushi restaurant than Osaka. It will be worth it.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Service, parking

03/25/07

First-timer gets a lesson in sushi

by portageeboy

As the title clearly explains my first sushi experience was here and I'm glad I finally gave it a try! When you're on the outside looking in you think sushi is for those with a death wish but it's more for those who want something that hasn't been tampered with (fried, sauteed, etc). I came to like your typical shiro maguro (albacore), unagi (eel), sake (salmon), to name a few. If I remember correctly I think I tried almost everything on the sushi menu and still got out of there with some cash to spare. This experience definately opened my eyes to sushi and Japanese food as a whole.

10/09/06

it hurts so good

by sushisnob7

I like to use enough wasabi to make me cry, and this restaurant doesn't use the word spicy lightly (like so many other places!) The fish is outstandingly fresh and the menu is awsome. It has everything, traditional and california creative. Get some.

06/18/06

Not so great anymore

by cokeca

My girlfriend and I went to Osaka last night and we were really disappointed. Usually, they have a pretty good record of consistency but last night was very mediocre. We had a Gangsta roll which the roll was kinda "old." Fish were not very fresh as before. Perhaps it's the weekend and they were packed with people and that's why their quality is not that great. But still, a good restaurant should keep their quality of food no matter how busy they are.

• Pros: service
• Cons: food

12/25/05

Consistently Good

by adams_eating

Don't get this Osaka Sushi confused with the one on Filmore Street. This one has more innovative rolls and a menu limited mostly to sushi and some bento boxes. The quallity of the fish is constistenty very good. I've eaten here many, many times (15+) and with one or two minor exceptions been very pleased. The quality of the rolls is well above the average sushi spot in San Francisco. The price also is a little above average, but by no means outrageous. It's very popular and a well liked place in the Castro.

• Pros: high quality fish, innovative rolls, cute wait staff
• Cons: Castro can get busy

12/19/05

My experience

by ricksmail

It was around 9:00PM and me and my girlfirend had a long day. The gentleman at the front asked if we wanted to sit at the bar. I stated that we woud wait for a table. Wait we did. With no list. I was looking forward to havinng the traditional Japanese Udon that was listed on the online menu.

We took a seat at the bar and got the menus. I couldn't find the Udon! I asked our server if they have the Udon and she said "This is a sushi restaurant, no." and walked away. We ordered Yellow Tail, Tuna, and Suzuki sushi & Spider Rolls. The sushi was decent but by no means incredible. Bill with tip was $40.00. I left a $7.00 tip and left hungry and thought to myself, that was not a pleasant experience. Next time I will choose a spot I am familair with.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Overpriced

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Castro district restaurant offers specialty sushi and sashimi combos, as well as chicken, vegetarian and cooked fish options.

01/13/05

experiment at osaka

by bvanveen

Osaka is a great place to find non-traditional sushi. The regular menu is full of variety but be sure to also check out the the many, frequently changing specials. The sushi chefs are never afraid to mix it up and use a lot of differents sauces and spices to highlight the main ingredients. Be experimental and don't be afraid to ask for what you want, they are very friendly and happy to oblige. Expect a lively atmosphere and large crowd but with the frequent turnover its never too hard to get a table.

• Pros: variety, atmosphere, friendly
• Cons: , pricey but worth it

08/17/04

growing pains

by thedjf

one of the biggest challenges of being a popular restaurant is keeping to the standard which made the restaurant popular in the first place. osaka seems to being going through some growing pains. the friendly staff seems rushed and less attentive while trying to accomodate larger and longer crowds. the overwhelming house music is confusing. still a great place to eat. even better when you take your food to go.

• Pros: prompt, friendly, nicely priced
• Cons: , loud, loud music

06/14/04

overpriced but good

by ksf

Overall, Osaka is very good. the service is usually fast and courteous, but the recent price increases have driven me to the other sushi shops in the neighborhood.

daimru down 16th is a good choice and there's a small hole in the wall place kitty corner to it that, if you can find it, it's really good.

• Pros: food quality, variety