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oChef » Fish N Gari – San Francisco
Fish N Gari - San Francisco
Photo from Fish N Gari
Fish N Gari at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 7 of the guests
#930 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#81 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
177
Reviews
80.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Friendly staff
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Small space
- Slow service
- Dated interior
The restaurant Fish N Gari in San Francisco’s vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood offers an authentic Japanese dining experience. You’ll discover a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying delicious meals.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, this spot provides a welcoming setting for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Fish N Gari
Fish N Gari presents a straightforward dining experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many guests consistently praise the quality of the food, finding the sushi and rolls particularly satisfying.
The staff also receives frequent commendation for their friendly and attentive approach. While the culinary offerings and warm reception stand out, some patrons have pointed to the restaurant’s interior as needing attention.
Occasional remarks about slow service during busy periods suggest that patience might be required at peak times.
Good
7.7
out of 10
177
Reviews
80.2%
Satisfaction
27
negative
8
neutral
142
positive
Fish N Gari earns a solid overall score of 7.7, reflecting a generally positive reception. Customer satisfaction stands at 80.2%, indicating that most diners leave content with their experience.
This positive sentiment is supported by 142 positive remarks compared to just 27 negative ones, out of 177 total comments. Delving into specifics, the Food (7.9) is a clear highlight, often described as high quality and tasty.
Service (7.8) also performs strongly, with staff frequently noted for their friendliness. Value (7.8) is another area where the restaurant shines, offering reasonable prices.
The Ambience (6.6), however, is more of a mixed bag, often characterized as small and unpretentious.
What people like
- Excellent food quality
- Friendly, kind staff
- Good value, reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Small, crowded space
- Slow service sometimes
- Interior needs attention
If you’re seeking a casual spot that prioritizes well-prepared Japanese food and genuinely friendly service, Fish N Gari is certainly worth considering. It delivers on its core offerings, providing a satisfying meal without unnecessary frills.
With a recommendation score of 8.1, it’s a place that many find themselves returning to. Just be mindful that the setting is modest and it might get busy, so manage your expectations regarding the dining space and potential wait times.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Fish N Gari
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a 7.9, which is pretty good! With a strong 82.6% customer satisfaction from 71 positive remarks, many rave about the excellent rolls, fresh fish, and perfect rice, often calling it great sushi. However, it's not all perfect.
Out of 86 total opinions, 11 pointed out some issues. A few experiences mentioned low quality sushi, burnt tuna, hard rice, and even rotten avocados, suggesting some inconsistencies.
Food
86
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
11
negative
4
neutral
71
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent rolls
- Fresh fish
- Perfect rice
What people don't like
- Low quality sushi
- Burnt tuna
- Rotten avocados
Often praised
- sushiI loved my experience at this little spot! The prices were good for the great sushi they served. It reminded me of Sushi Ran, but on a budget.
- rollsBest rolls I tried in San Francisco! So incredibly tasty
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be reasonably priced with excellent food and great service. They even offer delivery, which is a huge plus.
- food qualityMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a nice and simple sushi restaurant with good quality food and reasonable prices. What else could you ask for?
- green teaThe green tea is free flowing and tasty
- qualityWhen I say "neighborhood", I mean every sushi bar on Van Ness and Polk and anywhere in between. It's a small, unpretentious place with great quality food. The best lunch box value in the neighborhood is also a major plus.
- Hamachi BellyThey had my favorite, Hamachi Belly.
- Honey Walnut PrawnI highly recommend the Honey Walnut Prawn
- Japanese foodgreat inexpensive place to grab some Japanese food
- Ocean Breeze rollsand Ocean Breeze rolls
Frequently criticized
- sushithe fish was cold. I felt it wasn't fresh
- amount of beefBe sure to ask for the price as it was very expensive, but I felt we got a large amount for the money. I had the beef teriyaki bento and we thought the amount of beef was a little on the small side. We were the only ones dining in on a weekend, but it seemed like they were doing a lot of takeout orders.
- avocadosthe avocados rotten
- dynamite rolltuna in the dynamite roll was totally burnt
- foodEverything was cold and basically inedible.
- riceThe rice were hard
- sea urchinIt is a small place with limited seating and only one chef, so if there are a lot of people, expect the service to be slow. We had the sea urchin which was very fishy and ocean flavored. Be sure to ask for the price as it was very expensive, but I felt we got a large amount for the money.
- tunatuna in the dynamite roll was totally burnt and had zero flavor
- udonThe udon was really weird and had a strange moldy taste
If you're after delicious, fresh sushi with excellent rolls and perfect rice, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few experiences suggest some inconsistencies in quality, so manage your expectations.
Service (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
The service here generally shines, with a strong score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at 77.8%! Based on 35 positive remarks out of 45, guests frequently praise the staff for being welcoming and providing quick service. Many highlight the excellent customer service and friendly owners.
Yet, its not entirely perfect. Eight negative comments mention concerns like service to be slow and issues with waiting time or the delivery driver. There were also a few specific instances of staff' being perceived as less friendly, indicating some areas for refinement.
Service
45
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Delivery issues
- Inconsistent staff
Often praised
- staffIt's a great inexpensive place to grab some Japanese food. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, and the staff are always friendly. I usually go for the bento box.
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be reasonably priced with excellent food and great service. They even offer delivery, which is a huge plus.
- deliveryLove Fish’n’Gari delivery - always super fresh and super fast!
- peopleMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. The service was wonderful, and the people were nothing but kind. I'm giving it 5 stars.
- Vivian and ChrisVivian and Chris were so great
- chef and staffThe chef and rest of the staff are so friendly
- customer serviceExcellent friendly customer service from the moment we walked in
- owner and waitressThe owner and waitress were very nice and accommodating
- ownersConsidering the amount of drinks we consumed and, most importantly, the fun we had, the price of $50 per person was quite reasonable. The owners were very kind and accommodating throughout the evening.
- quick servicequick service on Polk Street
Frequently criticized
- Asian female staffThe asian female is not friendly, but rude and moody
- customer serviceAs a business, it's their responsibility to manage their orders and online partners, not the customer's. This was absolutely insane and terrible customer service.
- delivery driverthe delivery driver is only there for 3 of those 4 hours
- glovesusing same gloves to make sushi and touch paper
- online partnersbe on top of your online partners
- open hoursthey're only only open 4 hours a day
- service to be slowexpect the service to be slow
- waiting timeOrdered the food at 5:28 pm and it didn't arrive until 7:18.
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and efficient service, this spot is a solid bet. While there might be occasional delays or inconsistent staff, the overall experience is positive. Youll likely feel well-cared for during your visit.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot gets a solid 6.6, landing it in the average range, with customer satisfaction sitting at a 66.7%, which is a mixed bag. Out of 21 customer comments, 14 were positive, often praising its homey, comfortable feel and small, quiet atmosphere, making it a relaxing time and a true local family business for many. However, 5 opinions pointed out some areas for improvement.
Some found it could get crowded at times due to limited seating. A few also mentioned the interior feeling a bit untidy, with one even noting a hygiene issue. It seems the cozy charm might come with a few practical trade-offs.
Ambience
21
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
5
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Homey, comfortable feel
- Small, quiet atmosphere
- Relaxing time
What people don't like
- Can get crowded
- Limited seating
- Untidy interior
Often praised
- atmosphereWhen I say "neighborhood", I mean every sushi bar on Van Ness and Polk and anywhere in between. It's a small, unpretentious place with great quality food. The best lunch box value in the neighborhood is also a major plus.
- homey, comfortable feelIt has a homey, comfortable feel
- local family businessit’s a local family business
- local placeSmall and friendly, local place!
- nice musicthey played nice music in the restaurant
- place to sitMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a great place to sit and relax. The prices were not too expensive, and the staff were very friendly.
- relaxing timeAlways a relaxing time
- return customersI could tell there was a lot of return customers in there
- small, quietSmall, quiet.
- sushi barMy experience at Fish N Gari was wonderful. It's a great sushi stop with a well-curated menu and a cute sushi bar. The staff were always welcoming, and the green tea was free-flowing and tasty.
Frequently criticized
- crowded at timesThe owner and waitress were very nice and accommodating, and they played nice music in the restaurant. Be aware, it's a very small place, so it can get crowded at times, but it's pretty open on most week nights.
- fancyThe atmosphere was a perfect mix of an older gentleman preparing the fresh fish, his wife serving the delicious bites, and their son doing homework at the counter. It's far from fancy and doesn't try to be something it's not; it is just damn good sushi. Despite being at the other end of the city, I've already been back several times and still can't get enough.
- hygiene issuethis is a basic hygeine issue
- interiorThe interior is also old and dusty and untidy
- limited seatingsmall place with limited seating
If youre seeking a laid-back, unpretentious local spot for a relaxing meal, this place could be your jam. Just be prepared for a potentially cozy squeeze and dont expect a super polished interior.
Value (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a score of 7.8 and 88% customer satisfaction, its clear most diners feel they get their moneys worth. Based on 22 positive remarks, many appreciate the prices, value, and lunch box value, often calling it an inexpensive place for quality food.
Guests frequently mention reasonable costs for great sushi and accessible pricing for the area. However, a few voices, just 3 out of 25, did point out some concerns. Terms like expensive and online price popped up, with some finding certain items, like sea urchin, pricey.
There were also instances where online prices weren't honored, which can be a bit frustrating.
Value
25
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good prices overall
- Great lunch box value
- Reasonable sushi cost
What people don't like
- Some items expensive
- Online price issues
Often praised
- priceI tried the best rolls I've ever had in San Francisco, and they were incredibly tasty. The price is super reasonable, offering the best taste on Nob Hill. I also love the delivery from Fish’n’Gari, which is always super fresh and super fast!
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a nice and simple sushi restaurant with good quality food and reasonable prices. What else could you ask for?
- pricingGood pricing, you can try a few different things.
- amount for the moneyWe had the sea urchin which was very fishy and ocean flavored. Be sure to ask for the price as it was very expensive, but I felt we got a large amount for the money. I had the beef teriyaki bento and we thought the amount of beef was a little on the small side.
- beerGood priced beer
- expensiveNot too expensive
- great priceexcellent rolls at a great price
- hot sakesecond order of hot sake is only $1
- inexpensive placeMy experience at this restaurant was great. It's a great inexpensive place to grab some Japanese food. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, and the staff are always friendly.
- lunch box valueIt's a small, unpretentious place with great quality food. The best lunch box value in the neighborhood is also a major plus. Tom and his staff will take care of you.
Frequently criticized
- expensiveWe had the sea urchin which was very fishy and ocean flavored. Be sure to ask for the price as it was very expensive, but I felt we got a large amount for the money. I had the beef teriyaki bento and we thought the amount of beef was a little on the small side.
- online pricethey won't honor the online price
- refundThey would only refund 20% on an $83 bill.
If youre looking for a place that generally offers good bang for your buck, especially for sushi and lunch boxes, this restaurant is a solid choice. Just be mindful that some specialty items might come with a higher price tag, and its worth double-checking online offers.
How are the prices at Fish N Gari?
You’re looking at roughly 31 per person – reported by 7 diners. That puts it squarely in the $31–$40 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the price distribution, most diners spend around this average, with options available slightly above and below. While our data is based on a limited 7 reviews, it gives us a good indication of what to expect.
Here’s a quick look at what guests usually spend per person, based on the latest 7 reviews. While the data is limited, it gives a good indication of the typical price points.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, we feel the pricing here offers a fair deal for a mid-range experience. Its a solid choice if you’re looking for good value.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Fish N Gari
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Sushi and Unpleasant Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative. I encountered the worst sushi I have ever had. The rice was unpleasantly hard, and the avocados were rotten.
The udon was also quite strange, with a distinct moldy taste. Beyond the food, the interior was old, dusty, and untidy. I strongly advise others to stay away.
- sushi1
- rice2
- avocados1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Terrible Online Ordering Experience
I had an annoying experience when I tried to order a bento box online for pickup. The restaurant called to say they wouldn't honor the online price. I was told I either had to pay a higher price or contact their online service myself to cancel the order.
As a business, it's their responsibility to manage their orders and online partners, not the customer's. This was absolutely insane and terrible customer service.
- online price1
- customer service1
- online partners2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Burnt Tuna, Low Quality Sushi
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing, primarily due to the food quality. The tuna in the dynamite roll was totally burnt and had zero flavor. Overall, it was very low quality sushi.
- tuna1
- dynamite roll1
- sushi1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
7
Polite Staff, Limited Hours
My experience at this restaurant was marked by the incredibly polite and welcoming staff. However, the operating hours are quite limited, as they are only open for 4 hours a day. To further complicate things, the delivery driver is only available for 3 of those 4 hours.
- people10
- open hours2
- delivery driver3
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Fantastic experience with a large group!
My experience at this restaurant last night was fantastic. We arrived with a party of 20 people without a reservation, and fortunately, they had space for us. They accommodated us by setting up one long table for our entire group.
The service was exceptional from the start; they began bringing beers and sake without us even asking and continued to replenish them throughout the night, ensuring we were well taken care of. Following the drinks, they served delicious sushis and rolls. Considering the amount of drinks we consumed and, most importantly, the fun we had, the price of $50 per person was quite reasonable.
The owners were very kind and accommodating throughout the evening.
- table9
- beers and sake10
- sushis and rolls9
What Fish N Gari offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What service options are available at Fish N Gari, and is it accessible?
At Fish N Gari, you can enjoy various service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in. The restaurant is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for all.
What kind of dining experience and offerings can you expect at Fish N Gari?
Fish N Gari offers a diverse menu with healthy options, small plates, and quick bites, perfect for lunch or dinner. You can also enjoy wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. They even cater to late-night cravings, making it a versatile spot for any meal.
What kind of dining experience can I expect at Fish N Gari?
Fish N Gari offers a casual, unpretentious setting with a focus on quality Japanese food, often described as a local family business with a homey, comfortable feel. It’s a place where many customers feel relaxed.
How do customers rate Fish N Gari overall?
Customers generally rate Fish N Gari well, with an overall score of **7.7**. **Food** (7.9), **Service** (7.8), and **Value** (7.8) are particularly strong, while **Ambience** (6.6) is considered more moderate.
Are there any common issues to be aware of when visiting Fish N Gari?
Some patrons have noted that the space can be small and feel crowded at times, and service might be slow during peak hours. A few comments also mentioned the interior could use updating, and occasional issues with online pricing or delivery times have been reported.