Reviews & Ratings for Shimo Japanese Restaurant

09/21/07

best quality by price ratio

by yappie at Citysearch

My ex-boyfriend introduced me to Shimo's on Clement and after we broke up, I wondered if I should go back for fear of running into him. I decided it was worth the risk because the food is so good at such a reasonable price. I've gone there for years now and try to go every time I go back to visit San Francisco, dragging anyone willing to come with me. Most of my guests are unimpressed with the atmosphere (not trendy by any means) and the parking (a pain). But the quality of the fish for the prices they charge absolutely cannot be beat. Like I said, I've gone there for years and only once have I ever been disappointed by the freshness of the fish. Every other time, the fish has been flavorful, cut perfectly, and melt in your mouth fresh. Definitely order the spicy tuna, negihama, and salmon nigiri with a big bottle of beer. And leave room for green tea ice cream at the end!

• Pros: fresh sushi, good prices, fresh sushi
• Cons: parking, service sometimes spotty

11/01/06

Watery and Warm Sashimi

by cl_addiction at Citysearch

I've been hearing about this place and I read the reviews here before we finally went to try this place. I'm a big raw fish gal and was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED with this place. Food was NOT GOOD, prices were OK and not great, service was unattentive (and waitress forgot a portion of our neighbor's order). To top it off, our sashimi was not cold, and it was a bit on the watery side i.e NOT FRESH!!!! This is definitely not a returner. Spider roll was only mediocre and parking in the area may be difficult too. Not worth the trouble.

• Pros: NONE.
• Cons: Food Quality, Parking, Service

07/19/06

Freshest sushi around. I love this place!

by miette at Citysearch

My husband and I go to Shimo on a regular basis and love this place. We used to go to different places but now we have been spoiled and so the only place we eat sushi or Japanese food is at Shimo's. You have to sit at the bar because Shimo the owner is a kick. His staff is also very nice and efficient. Another thing we really like is that he has things you won't find in the trendier restaurants such as monkfish liver, or sea cucumber. A couple of weeks ago we had live uni. Amazing! Go Shimo!

• Pros: Food, saki choices, Shimo's jokes
• Cons: parking is a pain

04/11/06

Best for the $$$

by ladiiangl at Citysearch

I've been going to Shimo's for years! Although this place isn't very trendy, the ambiance is very homely unlike Blowfish and others but the food is great for what you pay. I laways get sashimi and it's very fresh and delicious! Highly recommended!

• Pros: Great value, Delicious Food, Friendly Service
• Cons: Average looking, parking

03/30/06

Shimo!!! Shimo!! Shimo!!

by saucysara at Citysearch

I looovee Shimo. It's my local sushi pleasure palace. The fish is floppingly fresh and the atmosphere is boisterously inviting. Shimo will personally guide your taste buds through the evenings selections. Regualrs customers are cherished, and often treated to free tidbits of food sent with love from the chef. Large crowds of drunked twenty-somethings are greeted with outstreached arms. Several times my friends and I have been the last leave only to have Shimo himself join our drunken stupor!! Yum

• Pros: Shimo!, Friendly, Fresh
• Cons: Weekend Crowd, Waiting

11/29/05

Good Quality Sushi at Very Good Prices

by adams_eating at Citysearch

If you eat a lot of sushi, Shimo is the place for you. The food is of above average quality (very good, but not great), but the prices are the lowest in town (except for Yum Yum). When I got the check the first time, I thought there was a mistake. But those are their prices everyday. The food is well above average, so I know I will get a good meal every time. The service can be a little slow at times, with no follow up after the first order, but once you see the turnover, you'll know why. With this type of busy crowd, you know the fish is fresh. However, admittedly, once or twice when I've gone, the fish was not fresh.

08/13/04

Best Sushi

by robdubious at Citysearch

Anyone that's been to 25th Ave. & Clement knows Shimo is the best. Sit at the sushi bar (wait if you have to) and ask if you're not sure what to order. The chefs (Shimo & Chris) are amazing and they know their fish! If anything special just came in they'll let you know, and they're genuine about it too, not like other places that will try to pass off slow moving items as "very special" just to clear the inventory. The sashimi is damn fresh and if you like gwilo-whiteboy-style-fried-rock-n-rolls and stuff they can do that to. Shimo is hidden out in the avenues but it's always packed with regulars that have been eating there for YEARS. If you're one of the many that think Ebisu is the bomb, go to Shimo and get educated.

• Pros: fresh fish, fantastic service, comfortable setting

10/11/03

The best, period.

by nailbunny2002 at Citysearch

I've been a regular customer of Shimo's for the past 8 years. His food has been consistently fresh, delicious, and served with a smile. Uncertain customers are helpfully given a range of sushi selections, and veterans like myself are remembered and treated accordingly. I have eaten at many sushi restaurants in SF, and Shimo's is, far and away, the BEST in town. You are guaranteed an exceptional experience at Shimo's.

• Pros: Freshness, Attention to detail, Very reasonable price
• Cons: Parking, Crowded on weekends

01/03/03

Nobu, move over!

by BruceL at Citysearch

The best sushi, bar none.

The best sushi chefs, Chris and Shimo.

09/12/02

The Sushi Man

by pscott009 at Citysearch

I realy believe the quantity and freshness of the fish at Shimo can't be beat. It's not trendy or fancy but it's definatley my favorite. Take a minute and say hello to Shimo and Chris and you might just be surprised by a few specials dropped on your board compliments of the house.

Oh yeah-don't be in a hurry-the service can be incredibly slow for newcomers.

• Pros: Cheap, Fresh, Friendly chefs
• Cons: Slow serivce