Went for first time for lunch on a weekday. It was impossible to find parking, even in the lot behind the strip. Once I got to the restaurant, I was promptly seated. The service was very quick,... More

Went for first time for lunch on a weekday. It was impossible to find parking, even in the lot behind the strip. Once I got to the restaurant, I was promptly seated. The service was very quick, and impeccible. I tried several pieces of sushi and a roll. The sushi was slightly disappointing, after all the raves this place has had in the past (and after having eaten at Sasabune in Honolulu last month). The sake and hamachi I ordered failed to overly impress. The roll was good. I will definitely come back again, and try more things. Pros: Quick service, good food Cons: Parking
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The food was average, nothing special. However, the staff was most unprofessional. Our group of 6 arrived for our reservation on time a 6:00 PM on a Wednesday. The staff immediately warned us that... More

The food was average, nothing special. However, the staff was most unprofessional. Our group of 6 arrived for our reservation on time a 6:00 PM on a Wednesday. The staff immediately warned us that we had to be finished by 7:30, or else!!! You would think they were giving it away for free. Also, they kept on forgetting items we ordered. If we would have had a bad memory, we probably would have never received all of our food. Cons: Poor Service
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This place is crowded and I agree with some of the other posters, waiting for a table even with a reservation can be very annoying. However the sushi and sashimi is great! Pros: Great basic... More

This place is crowded and I agree with some of the other posters, waiting for a table even with a reservation can be very annoying. However the sushi and sashimi is great! Pros: Great basic sushi!! Cons: Wait, service just okay
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Took my wife here after reading rave reviews on this site. First impression upon entering the restaurant was very good. It was very crowded and full of Japanese customers, all good signs. What I... More

Took my wife here after reading rave reviews on this site. First impression upon entering the restaurant was very good. It was very crowded and full of Japanese customers, all good signs. What I noticed as we were waiting to check in for our reservation was that Japanese people definately got preferential treatment. I was in line just to let the front know that we had reservations (not even waiting for our table yet) when a group of Japanese would come in and would be greeted with hugs and seated right away!! Ok, I thought, as long as the food is good, no problem. So after we got seated at the sushi bar, we ordered some rolls and omakase dinners. Sushi was very unspectacular (small portions may I add). Hey, maybe that is "real sushi". Well, if it is, then I dont like the real deal. One reader went as far as to say that this was one of the best sushi in all of southern CA.....no friggin way. For really good sushi, try your luck with Happy Sushi in Mira Mesa or Sushi Ono in Hillcrest. Sushi Ono surprising had one of THE freshest and tasty sushi I had in a long time. Avoid Sushi Ota....unless you're Japanese. Pros: nice atmosphere...feels like you're in Japan Cons: sushi not good
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Despite the location of the restaurant, the interior is very nice and you can't see outside. The sushi is very high quality but it's expensive, of course you get what you pay for.

Despite the location of the restaurant, the interior is very nice and you can't see outside. The sushi is very high quality but it's expensive, of course you get what you pay for.
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For years this was THE spot I loved to take out of town guests to. Even my friends from Manhattan (who were used to places like Nabu and Sushi Yasuda) were impressed . But the last 2 meals I had... More

For years this was THE spot I loved to take out of town guests to. Even my friends from Manhattan (who were used to places like Nabu and Sushi Yasuda) were impressed . But the last 2 meals I had at Sushi Ota were NOT good. The freshness that had always been a hallmark was missing. I was so disappointed. I'll probably give it one more chance, but at this point I cannot recommend them.
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May be these guys are just uneven. May be these guys are just full of themselves. Either way, I had a horrible experience there. The sashimi did not taste fresh. The servers were surly and... More

May be these guys are just uneven. May be these guys are just full of themselves. Either way, I had a horrible experience there. The sashimi did not taste fresh. The servers were surly and seemed put out that we were not people they recognized. Too bad for them. We had just moved to San Diego from San Francisco. We love sushi and were looking forward to Sushi Ota because it was on the top five sushi restaurant list for San Diego. After that experience, we haven't been back and, frankly, Sushi Ota would not even make it on a top twenty list in the whole San Francisco Bay Area.
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Don't let this place fool you. Though it's tucked behind a convenience store, and a Thai restaurant, it is a hidden gem. The fish is fresh, and some of the specials they have are amazing. My wife... More

Don't let this place fool you. Though it's tucked behind a convenience store, and a Thai restaurant, it is a hidden gem. The fish is fresh, and some of the specials they have are amazing. My wife and I went here on the recommendation of a friend and were pretty happy with all facets of the food (sushi, tempura, etc...). There was a LONG wait though, even after we had made a reservation, and the place was pretty packed (we were seated right next to another couple which we didn't mind, though other people may find intrusive). Overall, a decent experience. Pros: Good selection of food Cons: Long wait for seating, Hard to find if you don't know where it is, tight quarters
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Up to par with decent sushi places in LA, but by far the best fish in SD. There's really no other place to go in SD for good sushi. Pros: good sushi Cons: not much

Up to par with decent sushi places in LA, but by far the best fish in SD. There's really no other place to go in SD for good sushi. Pros: good sushi Cons: not much
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This unassuming strip mall location has the best sushi in San Diego by far. The experience is about as authentic as it gets. Much of the clientele is Japanese and the restaurant can get very... More

This unassuming strip mall location has the best sushi in San Diego by far. The experience is about as authentic as it gets. Much of the clientele is Japanese and the restaurant can get very crowded. However, you won't find a better selection or quality of fish anywhere. Be sure to try the oototo! Pros: Great fresh fish Cons: Crowded
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