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Shizuoka
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
9118 Fletcher PkwyLa Mesa, CA 91944
Neighbourhood: Fletcher Hills
(619) 461-1151
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 8:30 pm
Sun 5 pm - 8 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
65 reviews for Shizuoka
Review Highlights
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"...box bentos are great value, comes with miso soup and rice." In 9 reviews -
"Love the bento boxes and the good prices on beer & sake." In 4 reviews -
"A true Mom & Pop restaurant." In 4 reviews
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65 reviews in English
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Review from Bella D.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 5/23/2012
Still one of my favorite staple Japanese food places. Reviewers need to realize japan has many different types of Japanese food styles. The food has not changed in the 20 years I've been going here. Tomi and her staff are very nice and I will be coming here until they close.
1 Previous Review:
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4/13/2010
I've been going here for 18+ yrs and cont. to do so. The food and owners are fantastic!
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Review from Ryan K.
San Diego, CA
5/16/2012
Walked in to order to-go after reading the reviews on Yelp. There were two waitresses, one sat the group of three people in front of me and then ignored the fact that I was still standing there. She passed by a couple more times, taking food to tables, taking orders from the group she just sat! and singing happy birthday to another table. Finally I waived the other waitress over and asked for a menu! NOT a good start!
Ordered my food and waited 20 minutes for them to make two rolls. Honestly Yelpers I don't know why there are so many good reviews for this place. The rolls had a skimpy amount of tuna in them and mostly consisted of rice!! I am usually pretty well satified with one roll and a salad but not after this meal. I had to go back out and get more food to get full, which is sad. The seaweed salad I ordered was pretty dry as well and had no dressing on it.
I was hoping that after the awful start to my Shizuoka Sushi Dinner Take-Out experience the food would wow me and all would be right with the world, but all is not right with the world, or at least with Shizuoka's world.
There are way better places out there, with good portion size, quality service and reasonable prices!
I won't be going back, I see no point in it, You can do better Shizuoka, and so can you yelpers, look elsewhere for a better dinner experience. -
Review from Jack M.
Rancho San Diego, CA
4/21/2012 5 photos
I had the urge for some Japanese food, so I decided to give this place a try. I ordered the fried squid for an appetizer and the Salmon Teriyaki for my main course. The salmon came with miso soup, rice, salad, and bean sprouts.
The The soup and the salad were good and very typical of most Japanese places here in the states. The fried quid was yummy. Their breading was not tempura nor panko, instead it was a more American traditional light breading with some spice added. The calamari and squid were good and fried nicely. I have had better but for $4.00 I was not complaining. (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
The salmon was kind of a let down. It was a little over cooked and certainly was not fresh, but rather the frozen variety. It had descent favor, but it was missing that rich moist salmon flavor. It cost $10.70. (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) I would not reorder it again.
The service was very good and friendly. The place is quite small, so I do not recommend it for large parties. -
Review from Jennifer W.
La Mesa, CA
5/19/2012
I went in there after decent reviews on yelp, and I needed to pick up my dry cleaning next door, anyway. It's just a cheap random place. I suppose if you like chicken teryaki, it's fine, but if you are looking for sushi, don't bother. There is a very limited menu of just the basic tuna rolls, etc.. Everything was fine tasting for the price, but nothing worth coming back to.
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Review from Lynn C.
San Diego, CA
4/18/2012
I would give this place 10 stars if I could!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! I always have a great experience. The food is delicious. And I love that fact that it's a small mom and pop shop. The employees are SUPER friendly and courteous, and the food is always fresh and hot. The only draw back is its very small and you usually have to wait awhile for a table, but it's well worth the wait.
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Review from Eric B.
8/28/2011
I eat at Soup Planation weekly and never noticed this place. When I walked in it resembled a living room at my aunts house more than a restaurant. Nice little decorations and definitely a homey feel. About 8 tables and no one was eating there but we were told to sit wherever we like.
Ordered gyoza, tempura roll, caterpillar roll, udon bowl and bento box(don't judge me! That was dinner for 2 people). Food was very good and came out very quickly. Especially the rolls, they tasted very fresh. Fresh like the shrimp was living 2 minutes before I ate him.
As people came in for dinner, they greeted our server(who I guess is one of the owners) like family and chit chatted. Everyone who was eating on that Friday night was definitely a regular and it was nice. It reminded me of the old days when people knew one another and providing great service wasn't part of your job, it was part of who you were.
Nice local sushi spot and. I will definitely come back. -
Review from Jessica H.
San Diego, CA
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't know what I expected when I ventured here but to me it didn't really impress me...at all. The decor was pretty awful, they stored serving supplies on currently unused tables and the food to me left a lot to be desired. I won't be back (unless they decide to sell that porcelain beer kitty, oh man I would buy that in a heart beat).
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from G M.
El Cajon, CA
Updated - 11/21/2011 19 Check-ins Here
Again?!
Back for more
#10 is number 1
Miso soup and gyoza2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/19/2011
#10 is number 1
Always the best quality, flavor and price. Read more »
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Review from Dallas L.
San Diego, CA
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Craving sushi like a mad man, I looked this little gem up on Yelp!. I won't lie- I probably wouldn't have walked in here had I not read what other Yelp! users had to say. Sushi in La Mesa sounds remotely scary, you know? Anyway... The husband liked the chicken teriyaki, the sushi was delish, the cost was like-whoa low, the servers were dolls and I give this place 4 thumbs up, buttercup. (warning: not for hungry people who can't appreciate a good hole-in-the-wall type joint).
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Review from Katie S.
Anaheim, CA
7/4/2011
Food, amazing.
Service, amazing.
decor, amazing.
price, amazing.
I love this place!!!
THANKS yelp!!! ^_^ -
Review from Lewis T.
El Cajon, CA
4/23/2011
Teriyaki Beef is great! Gyoza is great as well. The California Roll was okay but we did not come here because we heard the sushi was good. The Miso soup was decent but not really a fan of even the greatest.
The only reason I would not give it 5 stars is because we had to ask our waitress 3 times for our son's drink. Prices are good and the portions are small but closer to what normal non-American portions actually are. I would recommend it to friends any day if they are looking for a good place in the area and don't feel like driving a little further. -
Review from Jeff J.
San Diego, CA
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great little family eatery with friendly staff and good food. Try the chicken, miso soup and a drink.
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Review from Susan P.
El Cajon, CA
2/18/2011
I was so pleased to see all the Yelps lived up to their reviews. This place is as promised. We ordered the gyoza, beef teriyaki bento, spicy tuna and udon bowl. All delicious.
I was a bit worried that the sushi would be second class based on the reviews but it was fresh and had a healthy portion of the spicy mayo I love.
I'd never had udon, but since it seemed perfect for the rainy weather, tried it. I knew my son would love it too. Happily took half (more like 5/6) home for leftovers.
The waitress and owners/cooks were all very friendly. Fast service. It's my new neighborhood favorite! -
Review from Fenn C.
La Mesa, CA
1/4/2012
Fantastic little Japanese restaurant. Been going here for 20 years, and I still get the Oyakudon. The tempura, miso soup and udon noodles/broth are authentic and delicious. The fish is fresh, but the portions seem small, so I don't normally order sushi here. Overall, a great little hole in the wall that's consistent and always tasty.
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Review from Vanessa J.
La Mesa, CA
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
We walked in ...the place is extremely small but cozy. We sat down and the service was surprisingly really good. My husband ordered the bento box and I got the tempura roll. The sashimi was extremely fresh and delicious, which was surprising since the place is located in La Mesa. I normally don't like raw fish but the stuff was amazing. I amreally happy that we finally found a great sushi place near our home!
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Review from Patricia S.
Lemon Grove, CA
Updated - 11/23/2011 5 photos
Love, love this treasured spot; perfect prices, variety, freshness of sashimi, eel, absolutely my fv. for modest, flavorful lunch and dinner. Warning: busy dinner- time, worth the short wait, if any. BEST gyoza sauce in S.D.. TOME is unbelievably fast, accurate and has uber memory skills. Try the steamed gyoza, bento, (anyone), pork cutlet, miso soup, tuna roll w/avocado; uhhhh, it's all OISHI! (Japanese for delicious.) Told U b4, bento portions are humble, but will awaken your sleepy taste buds. Gotta run..to Shizuoka, b4 they close at one-thirtyPM. ...........yummy kisses..........
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/25/2010
WHOLE in the wall, check your sushi expectations at the door. I said, WHOLE intentionally; you can… Read more »
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Review from Gina D.
La Mesa, CA
12/14/2010
I love this little place! 10 years ago it was my first experience with Japanese food and it's still one of my favorite places. I love the atmosphere and the staff is wonderful and always so welcoming!
The sushi is OK, but everything else I've tried has been above and beyond amazing!
Delicious and affordable. Eat here. -
Review from Sandi W.
San Diego, CA
11/10/2011
Reasonable price with OK food.
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Review from soulshine i.
San Diego, CA
9/23/2010
Oh Shizu, how I love you. No matter what, you always sound good for dinner. And I can always seem to afford your dinners too.
The Gyoza, so perfectly browned and scrumptious with the little spicy dipping sauce. The tempura, perfectly cooked veggies & shrimp so light and crispy, never heavily battered and oily. The bento boxes are all great. They come with the house salad which has a great ginger dressing and the cold noodle salad which is nothing more than mayo spaghetti but tastes so much better than it ought to. The Katsu Don is just Japanese comfort food. You had a crappy day? Order it and it will be like grandma whipped up dinner just for you to soothe what ails ya.
I love how the one lady who may take your order gets so offended when you order fried calamari instead of "squid karaage", it's like a personal affront to her. She gets so bent she practically snatches the menu out of your hand after she corrects you. I am just waiting for her to one day shout "NO SQUID for YOU!". But lemme tell ya, when that delicious pile of fried squid tentacles arrives it's all worth it.
Now please, don't go here expecting some great ambiance or a sushi place. It *is* in a strip mall, has limited seating and hasn't been remodeled since it first opened. You do not dine here for the decor or for sushi. Yes, they offer a few rolls but it is NOT a sushi restaurant. It's a very good, solid, Japanese restaurant run by little ol' ladies who are basically making lunch or dinner for their neighbors. I suspect that if you play nice and order things by their correct names you will never have any less than a pleasant dining experience here, as they do aim to please. Just be careful not to annoy the SQUID Nazi! -
Review from Charlie S.
San Diego, CA
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
It can be hard to find good Japanese food from where I currently live, so this was really enjoyable for me. The first time I came here, the restaurant was entirely too hot in temperature, but the food was still good. The chicken karage is delicious and one of my favorites. The price doesn't hurt my wallet, and I tend to order a lot.
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Review from pam c.
San Jose, CA
2/23/2012
Good food for very reasonable prices. Wait staff was very friendly even on a busy Friday night. Close enough to SDSU if you have a car.
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Review from James P.
La Mesa, CA
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Most definitely will come back. The servers were friendly and seemed to know all their customers by name. I took a star away because they don't have a variety of sushi and soups, but for what they do have, is delicious.
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Review from nick p.
La Mesa, CA
11/19/2011
I love this little place.
Quality somewhat americanized Japanese food at a reasonable price.
What they lack in decor and curb appeal. They more than make up for in service, friendliness, price and consistency of the food.
I love the bento boxes and the beef or chicken teriyaki. -
Review from Janice R.
La Mesa, CA
9/18/2011
The salmon is smoked. You read that right.
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Review from Christine G.
Santee, CA
8/5/2011
There sushi sucks! It taste like vons store bought
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Review from Allison H.
San Diego, CA
10/1/2007
A hidden gem!
Sushi, no..beside California Rolls. But the Bento Box is the best especially if you eat beef. It's a good amount of quality food for a good amount of money. I don't eat beef that much anymore, but if you do definitely go for the beef teriyaki bento box with your choice of tempura, california rolls, or a few other things that of which I forgot. The chicken is not as good as the beef. Should I talk about the beef again? Because I definitely could. -
Review from Nicole M.
4/13/2009
You definitely don't come here for the sushi. Minus one star for the shock of seeing my $8.00 roll come out with 75% rice, and a little speck of fish stuffing.
Glad that was only the appetizer, because the rest of the meal made up for the lack. We had some great Miso, perfectly steamed edemame, and chicken teriyaki on a bed of sprouts and rice that was HEAVEN!!!
Kiddo had the Bento with tempura and beef teriyaki, and that is definitely what I will order next time I go. They have a tasty dressing on the garden salad, and this weird noodle dish that reminds me of my moms macaroni salad, but with spaghetti noodles instead of elbow mac.
Service is as good as it gets for a small home style Japanese cafe. I think there are less than 15 tables here so you really never have to wait that long before at least getting the chance to wave your server over!
We will come here the next time the craving strikes for some teriyaki. SO GOOD!!! -
Review from Blair A.
San Diego, CA
3/24/2010
I feel bad giving this place two stars but, honestly I feel like that may be too many.
I want to give it a good rating because:
1. It seems to be a small, family owned place, and I like to support small businesses.
and
2. It's located in a horrible place. The strip mall it's in is ALWAYS packed. The past four or five times my boyfriend have been to this strip mall (including the time we ate here) we had to make our own parking spot... there was literally NO PARKING. Which might have explained why it was so dead on a Friday night.
PRO-My two veggie sushi rolls were pretty good... I mean a veggie roll is pretty hard to screw up
CON- The spicy veggie roll was not spicy by any means and I had to pretty much smother it in wasabi to get the desired effect.
CON- My boyfriend and I ordered Agie Dashi(spelling?) Tofu, one of our favorites at other Japanese places, and it was pathetic to say the least. A small cube of tofu, and it was our appetizer and took about 15 minutes to come out.
CON- Since the Sashimi Bento box my boyfriend ordered was minuscule and not by any means filling, he ordered a spicy tuna roll, when that came out, it was a small roll and this is the sad part... the middle of the roll... there this fish is supposed to be, was filled with RICE, and there was only a small inner circle of fish.... he was very unhappy, to say the least.
PRO- We ordered two glasses of Plum Wine that were pretty good. I love plum wine.
There is very little on the menu as far as vegetarian items, which is why I ordered the veggie sushi. It's also a terribly over priced place for the quality. I also forgot to mention another weird part...
My boyfriend and I notice that this place never seems open when we drive by so we called before going to see if they were open. It was about 7pm when we called, and they were indeed open, so we asked when they closed and the woman told us "8:45 or a little earlier." ..... ??
Is it just me or is 8:45 sort of a random time to close. I felt bad because when we left around 8:20 the rush was just starting, and since the service is so slow, I don't think they were going to be closing at 8:45 ... or a little earlier... -
Review from Andrew T.
San Diego, CA
4/13/2009
I know I'm piling on with another good review of this place, but here it is. Another restaurant that reminds me of noodle houses in Japan. The waitresses bark at me in Japanese (since they know I speak Japanese), they leave me alone to eat & drink my beer in peace while I read.
I normally get the yose nabe, a seafood stew which tastes great and is very filling. I haven't had a dud from the menu, though.
They are closed on Monday! -
Review from Mark R.
La Mesa, CA
1/22/2009
Shizuoka is a gem of a japanese family restaurant. Try it.
If you are expecting upscale ambiance, 50 tables or stuck up 20-something hostesses you need to head to Japengo or similar. Dont get me wrong, I love Japengo.
If you want tasty japanese fair, light on the sushi/roll and beer choices, fast and inexpensive then you must try this local favorite.
The owners/servers are very nice, very attentive and genuinely care that everyone is happy with their meal.
I usually have the chicken teriyaki/tempura combo which is excellent. A starter of Edamame is always a good choice. The Miso soup is hot, but not too hot, tasty and oh so healthy. I love sushi and would prefer something other than rolls to choose from but the caterpillar roll is very good. Even the Green Tea Ice Cream is a tasty dessert change.
I have told many people about Shizuoka and every one has come back pleased with the food and service but commented on the "simple" tables/seating/ambiance. If you want good food, for a good price (and who doesnt in this economy) and can see beyond the melamine tables and chairs (thats a chinese quality joke) then try them and see for yourself. It wont cost must to see. -
Review from karyn m.
San Diego, CA
4/3/2011
I made sure i checked the reviews because one never knows about sushi places .. This restaurant is small and seems to have many many regulars. The prices were decent and bento boxes with choice of teriyaki, sushi, sashimi were a pleasant suprise. The best part of my dining experience? My daughter picked up the check!
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Review from Adam M.
Chula Vista, CA
12/28/2007
As others have written, this isn't a place to impress a date, unless they are a fan of homestyle Japanese food.
I'll say it right out. The place is a little on the dive-y side.
The food more than makes up for that, and really - isn't that the main reason to eat out?
Small, homestyle, perfect.
Everything is exceptionally well-prepared, and FRESH as can be.The staff are cheerful, efficient and very pleasant.
The Nabeyaki udon is a heavenly dream - especially when it's cold outside, or when you are under the weather - the other night I heard 7 of the ither 9 patrons order it, so others plainly share my opinion.
Their bentos are of good size and very nice.
I can't think of a item on the menu that hasn't been at least above average. -
Review from Randy B.
El Cajon, CA
7/1/2010
I have come here for many years. It is a small restaurant, affordable & the food is good ... but keep in mind this is not upscale. I will often call ahead for takeout food also if we feel like Japanese food & don't want to cook at home.
Everything I have eaten here has been very satisfying. In fact when my brother & I get together for lunch, this is the place we always meet at (he has been coming here for years also).
I have always found them friendly with prompt service. It's not fancy asian fusion cuisine, it's just good basic Japanese food. -
Review from AMIE S.
La Mesa, CA
9/22/2011
Great food with no frills dinning. Great service and decent prices.
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Review from Nana T.
Pomona, CA
5/19/2009
Thank you San Diego for supporting my parents' restaurant. It has been a good 20 years :)
...(^_^) -
Review from tae k.
7/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sashimi and Tempura bento box for lunch hit the spot at a reasonable price. The tuna tasted fresh and the tempura batter was light and tasty.
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Review from Norman R.
San Diego, CA
9/14/2008 3 Check-ins Here
If you like "Americanized" Japanese food (i.e., big servings and bottled-teriyaki flavor), then this is not the place for you. If you are awed by the Disneyfied glitz of big Japanese restaurants (i.e., high-gloss tabletops and sushi chefs juggling knives), then don't bother coming here. Shizuoka is small and old, tucked away in a nondescript strip mall behind a gas station.
However... if you want good Japanese food without bells and whistles, Shizuoka, now in business for more than 35 years, is the place to go. This restaurant reminds me of a regular mom-and-pop place in a small town in Japan: no-frills, good home-made food hot from the kitchen.
Serving sizes are smaller than what one would expect from a typical American restaurant, but still not disproportionate to the price of the items on the menu.
As far as I know, this is a family business. There is something comforting about a Japanese restaurant run by Japanese folks. You can safely assume they know the food that they're serving. Would you go to an Afghan restaurant run by Koreans? I think not, thankyouverymuch. (No offense to Koreans... it's just an example.)
I only wish they played enka (look it up) instead of Duran-Duran and Phil Collins. -
Review from Matt S.
El Cajon, CA
3/8/2010
I ate here the other day for the first time. This place by far surpassed the expectations given off by it's appearance and location. It's tucked away in a little strip mall off the freeway. But inside it's a simple bare bones Japanese joint. Listen to the other reviews, this is not really a sushi place; mostly noodles and beef.
I'm semi-veggie so I ordered Udon soup with tempura shrimp. The shrimp were excellent; crispy, slightly sweet, and leaving me wanting more. The soup was good, but somewhat bare bones. Maybe it's my American sensibility, but I wanted a little more than a bowl of broth and noodles and 2 fried shrimp. Tasty, but not fully satisfying.
Still, I think I will go back and see what else they have to offer. -
Review from Mike D.
San Diego, CA
6/13/2007
I go to this place for lunch during the work week and it works out great. The service is always the same- friendly, and timely. The food is good, but I have a limited scope here due to the fact that I am allergic to fish. I usually order the bento box- which is great for a quick lunch. I little bit of chicken teriyaki, noodles, tofu, salad and rice. I am in, I eat good Japanese food, and I am out. I have never been there for dinner, so no comment there. It is usually at least half full, so I have never waited. Every time I open the door, I get the same group greeting from the staff. I am not sure what they are saying, but I know I am at Shizuoka when I hear it.
+Quick (at least for lunch)
+tastes good, if you like Japanese
+Friendly service
-It's in a lame strip mall -
Review from Allison N.
La Mesa, CA
1/11/2011
I am excited this is my first time to yelp it, so it had to be amazing! For my first review I had to go with Japanese food. I called ahead to place my order since my two year old is crazy !! I could not decide so went with both beef and chicken teriyaki I gotta say I would order the beef again as far as for my little one they put bean sprouts all up on the rice which she was not about to eat I enjoyed them but did not enjoy picking them out for her other then that it was an easy phone order quick pick up and a good dinner on a Tuesday night and close to home would like to go again to try something new
