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    Sushi Damu

    4.3 (7.4k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    SUSHI DAMU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Damu

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    DO NOT COME HERE!!! We were charged for more than DOUBLE the dinner price PER PERSON for LEFTOVERS.
    Sherry C.

    Their $60 all-you-can-eat omakase might be one of the best omakases you can get in Orange County. You start off with a refreshing salad, 9 pieces of sashimi including otoro or fatty tuna, that literally melts in your mouth, and a meaty raw oyster that was super fresh. Then a tempura course with a tempura black cod that was my favorite, miso soup, and 7 pieces of premium sushi with even more otoro! $60 for everything before this AND you get access to their regular all-you-can-eat menu! I had to try some of their new yakitori skewers, extra orders of my favorite sushi like salmon carpaccio, and they also have riceless roll options. Oh, and one of the sushi rolls that they light on fire! Dessert is even included, and they're doing their omakase option by reservation only. Thanks for reading! ^-^

    Blue Bluefin Tuna Nigiri
    Mike C.

    I came for the premium $60 ayce includes blue fin tuna and sashimi They have a bunch of things on their menu from nigiri, rolls, appetizers, hot dishes, sashimi, and etc. The blue fin tuna nigiri was pretty good, similar quality to x fish. Salmon and yellowtail was good as well. Service was fast once it got going but it was slow to start. Staff were all friendly and nice. Main concern: when i bit into blue fin tuna sashimi, i felt a thin layer of ice as if the fish hasn't been properly thawed. Big issue since this is one of the main things i came for Regardless, imo this is one of the best ayce in oc in terms of bang for your buck since you can order as many blue fin tuna as you can. This is very similar to x fish, biggest difference is that x fish is $55 and you also get a 12 piece omakase which includes a toro piece. This place is $60 without that. But if you live in the oc area it makes more sense to come here instead of driving further to go to x fish.

    Elizabeth M.

    The ambiance is gorgeous dark, moody, and they have great food and service. This may be weird to point out but I love the size of their tables haha so spacious. Please note that their fizzy drinks are not from a soda machine but rather a can with ice on the side I didn't mind but just letting you know. Food is absolutely picture perfect and I love the options of the baked sushi. I was able to get dry udon for my baby girl. Ages 0-3 are free and thank goodness because I have twin babies (not so babies) and it gets expensive doing family outings. Im already thinking about my next meal here. Ohh they had the fun bendy straws+ waters for my kiddos which was so cute and my kids loved it.

    Maricel S.

    Sushi Damu has always been my favorite AYCE sushi spot because of the quality, variety, and usually great service, so this experience was really disappointing. I give Five Stars for the food, but two for the service we received this night. We came in for dinner and placed our first round of orders, and while we received our sides and two rolls, we were still waiting on our nigiri for quite a while. At first, we understood because it seemed busy, but after waiting longer we finally asked about it and were told that our order paper had been lost. If we didn't ask would they have even noticed? By that point, we had already been waiting a long time. We were handed a new order sheet and put in our 1st round order again and not long after that we were then told to put in the rest of our order because last call was soon... They also forgot one of our appetizer orders but at that point it wasn't worth waiting for. I still love the food here, but the service during this visit was frustrating and made the experience feel rushed and overlooked.

    Monkey Ball
    Millena P.

    It's been a while since I've been here. I've visited once before. I brought my family along with me during this visit to celebrate my mom's birthday. Parking: There's a medium sized parking lot. Finding a spot can be difficult. Since all the spots close to the restaurant were already taken, I parked further in the back. Ambiance/Environment: We visited on a Sunday for an early dinner around 4pm. It was already packed with every table and booth filled. We waited about 18 min to get seated. The tables were somewhat close together. Everything was kept clean. If you're a millennial, you'll appreciate the type of music. Service: We thought the service can improve. 3/5 at most. The host was really nice when he greeted & seated us. If you need assistance, you'd flip the sign to get their attention. It takes a while to grab their attention. The servers weren't as efficient. They forgot some of our dishes and didn't bring a bottle opener for the beers. Throughput was a bit slow bc it took a while to receive our orders. Sushi & cocktails: They offer two options, and we decided to go with the Premium AYCE. They have a QR code for the menu then you'd fill out the sheet for each round. The taste of each fish was good, especially the seasoned ones. Presentation can improve. Some of the cuts were messy. My favorite appetizers is the Monkey Ball. The alcoholic beverages were sweet. Can't expect much when it's $10, so I didn't expect them to be strong. - Monkey Ball - Garlic Edamame - Lychee Martini - Soju Sunrise - Salmon, Tuna, Blue Fin nigiri - Sushi Damu - Protein rolls Pricing: Their AYCE options are more on the higher end. We enjoyed the majority of the appetizers and sushi. Presentation can be cleaner. Drinks were okay, and service can improve.

    Poke nacho
    Lea P.

    Came here after debating between Sushi Damu and Sake 2 Me Newport - ended up choosing Damu because we heard parking was easier. Ironically, we got there around 6 PM and still had to circle for about 10 minutes before finding parking since the plaza was packed (possibly because of the animal hospital in the same center). Pro tip: even if you join the waitlist online, you still need to check in inside when you arrive. We missed that step, so parties who arrived after us got seated before us. We ordered the AYCE Premium (without the grilled options), and honestly it was more than enough food. Service was friendly and efficient, and dishes came out at a good pace. Favorites: * Nigiri: Unagi, Scallop * Rolls: Craw Me Daddy, Dynamite, Spider Roll * Appetizer: Baked Mussels, Poke Nacho Music was decent volume where it was still easy to have a conversation. It helped that we were in a booth. We only made it through 2 of the 3 rounds and still felt like we got our money's worth. We're not usually big on AYCE, but if the craving hits again, Sushi Damu would definitely be on our list.

    Sashimi toro, salmon, yellow Tail, tako and scallops.
    Colin O.

    Their $60 sashimi ayce is awesome. Came here for a business meeting and we forgot all about the business when the sashimi came. For the price is was well worth it, i can usually rack up a $60 tab in a few rolls. Will definitely be back.

    Hailey F.

    This place is great. We arrived on Saturday evening, and there was a bit of a wait -- no surprise. The Google waitlist said there was no wait, but that was not true, so don't rely on that. Instead, try getting on the Yelp waitlist. In spite of being packed, the hostess was very friendly and personable, as well as our waitstaff. Their interior is a bit awkward because all the booths have low backs, so there isn't much privacy. It's a rather small place, so you will be stared at by the people waiting for a table. We did premium AYCE and were happy with everything we tried. Their lychee martini was good, as well as the Izakaya menu -- I only wish they had onigiri. Their presentation of the dishes was nice, too. We were celebrating my husband's birthday, so they were kind enough to bring us a dessert. I am so glad I found this place and am looking forward to going back.

    Chicken Karaage
    Paul K.

    We went here on a Friday night around 6pm. We joined the waitlist and we were 1st up but for some reason the hostess skipped us and let 3 parties go ahead of us. That is the minus one star. The place is clean but the music is just way too loud (maybe because I'm old now) and the service is good but slow . Our server Amy was cool and nice though. The food is good here. We ordered fish taco, beef skewers, jalapeño bomb, sushi salad from the appetizers and all 10/10. We ordered nigiri's, sashimi's, rolls, and much more all 10/10. We also had some soju frose and soju with beer to make somaek. Lots of variety of options to chose from but since the orders take long to make order a lot in round one. We got to round two and was told our time was getting close to the end even though there was a table that started before us.

    Bluefish and Salmon
    Firas S.

    Updating my review based on my most recent visit. The service I received was top notch and the quality of the Salmon and Bluefin Tuna was outstanding. Absolutely one of my favorite AYCE sushi restaurants in OC due to the ambience, overall vibe, and quality.

    Vicky P.

    The rolls were amazing, the fish was incredibly fresh, and everything tasted delicious. The service was just as great!

    Yellowtail collar
    Mai T.

    First time trying this place and overall enjoyed the sushi here. You can really taste the quality of the fish in the nigiri pieces. The salmon and yellowtail were outstanding. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed how both the salmon and yellowtail fish collars tasted. They were seasoned and deep fried to a light and savory crisp. Our table enjoyed them so much that we ordered them with each round. I could pass on the other cooked appetizer dishes and focus only on the fish. Our server, coincidentally of the same name, was friendly and efficient. This place has a great vibe and I can see why they are busy.

    Rick S.

    Wow, the quality of their fish is excellent and they're so fresh. I enjoyed the premium AYCE deal and will consider the $60 sashimi + grill deal next time. The izakaya offers variety of options and they're all delicious too. The staff were friendly and attentive, taking new orders and refilling our water. The ambiance is hip, bright and cozy. Come early as parking can be a challenge and line will start around 5:30 pm. Highly recommended!

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    21 days ago

    Food was great and the service was excellent. The quality of the sushi and rolls are only consistently good. Thank you Sabirah!

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    Page 1 of 186

    Sushi Damu Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sushi Damu

    Would love to have the premium AYCE, but have a friend who is strictly vegetarian- can they sit with me and order their own meal alacart?

    My wife is one who only eats cooked fish and we wanted to do the same as you (for slightly different reasons). Their policy, which they strictly enforce, is all members of the party must choose the same option, no exceptions.… Read more

    Does everyone at the table have to do the AYCE if at least one person orders it?

    Our policy is that everyone at the table must participate in AYCE. Thank you for your inquiry.… Read more

    How many rounds?

    It's AYCE (all you can eat) within their time limit so as much as you can eat. You'll get charge if you over order and can't finish it.

    Do they still offer AYCE lunch prices?

    Yes they do. Regular AYCE and sashimi AYCE for a little bit more.

    How much do they charge for a child under 3 for all the AYCE options?

    Free

    When is your last call on Fridays?

    We close at midnight on Fri, last call is 30 min prior to closing so it would be 11:30pm on Fridays. Please note that last seating is at 12:00 pm

    Is there a max number of people you can do for reservations?

    Hi, it’s usually 6 people max, we turn it off occasionally based on business requirements. We have waitlist though to put your name on it in case there’s a wait when you get here

    How much is the AYCE dinner during the weekday?

    Thank you for the inquiry. It's 44.95 everyday, all day.

    How much per person?

    35.95 for lunch and 39.95 for dinner!

    Do you have a separate menu for someone who does not want to do AYCE and have bento like menus or noodles for someone who does not eat raw fish?

    We are currently making our progress on a la carte menu. This individual menu is only available from 90min prior to closing. Please visit sushidamu.com for specific hours of operation.… Read more

    Are you open today (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)? I've tried calling the phone number listed on this Yelp page and on the website multiple times to speak with someone to confirm if today's hours are the same as usual, but no answer.

    Hi, we are open during the normal hours.

    Is this restaurant open on the 2nd of January?

    Yes they are open.

    Are you guys open Christmas Eve?

    Yes we are

    Will you bring back the poke bowls? They had been the best I've ever had

    Is there AYCE sashimi?

    They will charge you an extra $15 per person on top of the AYCE price.

    Make a reservation?

    They don't take reservations but you have the option of joining the waitlist

    Do you serve all you can eat all day?

    Yes. Lunch pricing and dinner pricing

    What gluten free options do you have?

    Rice is GLUTEN-FREE, however most soy sauce is not. Some places do offer a gluten free version.

    Do you take reservations?

    Hi, not at this. Please use the waitlist.

    How many items per person can be ordered each round? Moreover, is it 3 rounds limit?

    Just went today for lunch, unlimited rounds for 2 hours - 5 items per person per round.

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    Stowaway

    Stowaway

    4.5
    (783 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Always a Great spot. Food, Drinks and Service never…read moredisappoints. Ambiance is what you would expect and more from a Tiki Bar.

    (Drank/Snacked 06/27/2026 SA @ 9:00pm): I'd gladly be a stowaway at this enchanting tiki bar and…read morelounge! After a farewell dinner to/at Gulliver's Prime Ribs Of Beef, our party of six continued the evening several miles away at Stowaway for some light bites and libations. Personally, I was all about the Hawaiiana tiki culture and tried to live it every day. Founded by co-owners Leonard Chan and Dominic Iapello, its current home of barely three years in a former dive bar came about when they unceremoniously had to leave the original location. With its proximity to Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room and the very niche underground-like society of tiki culture, they found their footing with a consistent customer base and the thrill of island escapism through colorful cocktails, pleasurable pupus, and tropical trimmings. Would I stow myself away somewhere inside and never leave!? PURCHASE(S) Don Q Punch Bowl ($38.00): Made with Don Q's Cristal Silver, Anejo, and 151 Gold Rums, respectively, peach brandy, passion fruit, pineapple juice, and citrus juices, this flaming concoction was rumtastic in every way possible as the tropical juices just made it that much sweeter. There were more ice chips than I liked, but it was a fun trough to drink out of for the four of us who wanted to imbibe. Coconut Shrimp 6pc ($12.00): Breaded and flash-fried plump shrimp served with a sweet chili dipping sauce, these were tasty and perfectly paired with the Don Q cocktail I was drinking. Stowaway Fries ($17.00): Constructed with a pile of crisp golden spud sticks, rum braised pork, and topped with a hearty gravy and sunny-side up egg, this loco moco fries dish was slamming while the slightly charred juicy pork had me squealing with enjoyment. SERVICE We had reservations, so once our entire party arrived, they quickly seated us in a cool cave-live separate alcove for more privacy. Our server arrived with menus, suggestions, and glasses of water. Minutes later, we all ordered at once, and everything (drinks and food) arrived within ten minutes. Because we had another reservation inside the same bar, we informed our male server and to let us know when we were allowed to go there. All was casual, chill, and somewhat on island time - aloha and mahalo! PARKING (FREE): They shared a medium-sized private lot with several other businesses who were closed at this time with plenty of spots - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE Located within a strip mall, you opened the front door and walked into an island oasis as if you were a cast member on "Gilligan's Island" with thatched roof material above you, tiki statues displaced on all of the volcanic-looking walls, collections of tiki mugs past and present for purchase, a central square bar with plenty of stools, and seemingly small dark nooks and private spaces where naughty things could happen. No natural lighting whatsoever while an assortment of extremely low-lit electric lights barely guided you along. There were no TVs while I recalled various styles of music played in the background along with chatter and clamor of conversations in all directions. ATTIRE Although I was actually dressed appropriately for the occasion in an aloha shirt, linen pants, and flip-flops, this place was totally casual, so a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops would suffice. OVERALL I had a cowabunga time at Stowaway, and I couldn't wait to return to try more of their awesome-soundling elixirs. I loved tiki bars, and although this was generally out of my range, I'd make a special trip or two here. My one drink was lip-smacking good, the pupus were yummy, the prices were reasonable enough, the atmosphere was stupendous, and the service was friendly and professional. While the drinks menu was loaded with tropical cocktails, an impressive rum selection, and a decent assortment of local craft beers, the food menu was somewhat limited. And, the bar had happy hour TU-FR 4pm-6pm. Plus, I always preferred to support small local mom & pop businesses. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $75.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

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    Dining room
    Dining room
    Pokebombs
    Pokebombs
    Stowaway Fries $17

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    Stowaway Fries $17
    Belly of the Beast

    Belly of the Beast

    4.3
    (155 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Love this place. Nice service, nice food, very interesting…read moredrinks. But they had not fix the Lorem ipsum text on menu =p

    (Drank/Snacked 06/27/2026 SA @ 10:00pm): This was a monstro feat as we all ended up in a beast of a…read morewhale's belly for drinks! After our party of six chatted over cocktails and preyed on pupus, we moved to a "secret" room tucked in the back of Stowaway and walked into a Belly Of The Beast. The founders and co-owners of Stowaway, Leonard Chan and Dominic Iapello, created this extension to the tiki bar with a wildly interesting Pinocchio theme and the famed encounter with Monstro the whale all the while serving the same offerings in Stowaway but with also an exclusive limited menu just for this adventure. With its proximity to Disneyland and its Enchanted Tiki Room, with the very niche underground-like society of tiki culture they found a consistent customer base and the thrill of island escapism through colorful cocktails, pleasurable pupus, tropical trimmings, and nostalgic know-how. How would my belly handle the beastly drinks concocted here!? PURCHASE(S) Gepetto's Last Words ($16.00): Intrigued by the cocktail's name, this elixir was crafted with Fid Street Gin, tangerine, creme de violette, lemon, and cucumber, it was a citrusy refreshing sweet drink that was decorated with bright yellow petals. It was nice, but for whatever reason it just didn't quite hit the spot. [ONION RINGS/STRAWS/STRINGS ALERT - 4.0 of 5.0 STARS] Onion Rings ($9.00): A decent portion with rings of medium to large sizes, these were hot, dark golden browned, crunchy, and had a slight tendency to crumble when bitten into while the onion ring (sweet Maui!) rarely pulled out at times. They were lightly oily while the catsup wasn't needed but used. SERVICE While in Stowaway, we informed our male server to let us know when we were allowed to enter the belly. Once inside and situated, we had the place and bartender to ourselves. After we all perused the menu, we placed our orders, and everything arrived within ten minutes. The rest of the time was spent chatting, picture taking, and our bartender checked in on us also giving a Dole Whip taster. All was casual, chill, and somewhat on island time - aloha and mahalo! PARKING (FREE): They shared a medium-sized private lot with several other businesses who were closed at this time with plenty of spots - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE "Hidden" inside Stowaway which was located within a strip mall, the entire theme was based on the Pinocchio story, the interlude in time spent inside Monstro, and as we entered it felt like the beginning of the Disneyland "Storybook" ride as you road a canal boat into the mouth and sharp teet of a whale. There were several marionettes (appropriate and non-appropriate) that hung from the ceiling and belly walls, along with other Disneyesque memorabilia, a few sitting booths, and a tiny bar at the end of the roo. No natural lighting whatsoever while an assortment of extremely low-lit electric lights and table candles glowed. There were no TVs while I couldn't recall any background music. ATTIRE Although I was actually dressed appropriately for the occasion in an aloha shirt, linen pants, and flip-flops, this place was totally casual, so a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops would suffice. OVERALL Belly Of The Beast was an adventurous fun evening with friends, it left me feeling childlike with the need to watch "Pinocchio", and I couldn't wait to return to try more of their awesome-soundling elixirs. I generally loved all-things Disneyana, and this new wrinkle, albeit probably not approved by the mouse ears brass, caught my fancy. My one drink was tasty but just didn't hit the right spot, the onion rings were very good, the prices were a tad elevated, the atmosphere was awesome, and the service was friendly and professional. They had an extremely limited menu, and there was some doubt whether or not ordering from the Stowaway menu was an option. Plus, I always preferred to support small local mom & pop businesses. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $27.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

    Photos
    A shot of the entire speakeasy.
    A shot of the entire speakeasy.
    Coconut shrimp
    Coconut shrimp
    The entrance is the mouth of the wale

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    The entrance is the mouth of the wale
    46 A Speakeasy

    46 A Speakeasy

    4.7
    (22 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    First time visiting this cocktail lounge, and it was a truly unique experience. The space is…read moreintimate with limited seating, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The service was outstanding--attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. What makes this place special is that there's no traditional cocktail menu. The bartenders craft drinks throughout the day, and guests are invited to sample them before deciding what to order. It feels personal, interactive, and completely different from the typical bar experience.

    46 A speakeasy is located in Rockwell Bakery. Check in is within the bakery and reservations are…read morerequired. When making reservations a $25 deposit is required per person but will be applied to your bill day of visit. The hostess was very kind upon check in and took us to the back where the 46 door is. She provided us a code and explained the time limit along with house rules. We were then told to knock on the door and proceed with the experience. Kudos to the owner as this is the only speakeasy in the OC that has a true speakeasy feel entrance. They had a gentleman open the peephole and ask for the entry code. Once we said the code we entered a really cool mine shaft area. The attention to detail was on point and I was impressed! We were then taken upstairs to a private bar where there are four tables of four so a max of 16. This makes sense as to why reservations are hard to come by. The only ding about seating is you are sat with strangers it is not a private table. Luckily we had a fun older couple at our table so it made the conversation more lively. Otherwise don't go here with an expectation of an intimate/ private date night. They also offer a limited food menu but looked very promising. However, we were here for a night cap so just dabbled in drinks. The bartender had a seasonal menu of 4 cocktails he created. He explained the drinks and then had us try each one with a straw. We then placed our order based on what we liked. He did say if we were not a fan he could create us our own personal cocktail as well. The old fashion he created was phenomenal! Overall, a cool little spot in the OC. Do wish they were open later as they do close at 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    Photos
    Decor
    Decor
    46 burger
    46 burger
    Inside

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    Inside
    Renz Social House

    Renz Social House

    4.1
    (72 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    So haven't been back since my last terrible karaoke experience over 3 years ago and left a 1 star…read morereview. I remember someone reached out from the business saying things have changed and got a new KJ thats better and should give it another go. Well 3+ years later I gave it another chance with a group hoping for improvement but instead the experience is just as bad. The sound is terrible. Mics kept cutting in and out and only half the speakers were actually working. Its sad bc there were some really good singers who were pretty much singing without a working mic. I let the KJ (some old white bald guy with a goatee) know and he had this IDGAF response and didnt do anything. The icing on the cake was me buying drinks and waiting for over an hour to get to my song when I noticed I was passed over for people who signed up after me. I let the KJ know to check and he has me on the bottom of the list like I never moved. I explained how I was waiting over an hour and he began to get defensive and tell me basically he cant trust what I say and doesnt remember me. If dude was doing his job properly this wouldn't happen. How hard is it to go down a signup sheet in order. Its crazy. KJ was also bartending and cleaning tables. I dont know if hes the owner or just carrying many hats but man he sucks. Long story short had to get my peoples to vouch for me and he finally let me sing my 1 song disgruntledly. Man Im never coming back. So many more professional & organized karaoke bars in south OC. Its sad this place is such a disaster for karaoke. The vibe from the patrons are great too. Advice to management/owner: 1. Spend a few hundred bucks and fix your karaoke system. If this was Asian-owned it would have never been an issue because Asians take their karaoke seriously. 2. Get another KJ and get rid of the bald old white dude with the goatee. He is an unhappy person who doesn't like his job and it shows. 1 Star!

    They don't offer any decent tequila here. Bar is a bit dirty as well as the bathrooms. Day time was…read moreso dead! It's probably much more livlier at night.

    Photos
    Budlight
    Budlight
    Stella
    Stella
    Renz Social House

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    Club 616

    Club 616

    4.6
    (192 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    When I said "Bar" and "Santa Ana" in the Yelp search - of course it said "Club 616" in the first…read morespot - OF COURSE IT SAID 616!!! I was lucky enough to stumble across this gem of the center of OC when they first opened - and I am proud to be a regular here. I don't know how to go somewhere else - because I feel like the staff are giant gems in this jewel of a spot. Winters is a curator of boozy information that has helped me learn about "gin" and "root beer whiskey" so I can sound like an adult-ish purveyor, when really I know close to nothing except being a willing student to his creations. Dan the Man and Jacob always see me raise my hand in the corner of the bar, like the student I am, and have been willing to fill in the blanks for me when I know I am of thirst, but do not have the words for what to order. Every person working in the well has treated me with kindness - they have taken the time to get to know me, and I will be forever appreciative of how they have taken care of me over the years. But the real joy has been the transformation that this spot has for building a community of people in Santa Ana for real recognizing real. I have been bringing my Dad with me to play pool for the past few years. Sometimes people ask me if he plays professionally, I am terrible, and my skill incline is slow, he is patient and plays with the same level craftiness that the staff offer the cocktails. My Dad is always stoked when we have time to go have a few hours of games at 616 - especially now that there are regulars on 4th street that are excited to see that he is there playing - and they rush to write their names on the chalkboard to challenge him - or beat him in a game they really earned the W. On lazy Sundays, I watch couples sit with their drink, listening to Jazz, and watching my Dad whoop my ass while making amazing shots. I am forever grateful to Memo who sometimes takes a break from his shift behind the bar to give my dad an actual challenge - which allows me the chance to watch my Dad enjoy fellowship around the table. Knowing the table was a relic of the bars former self, and knowing the history that this spot has in Santa Ana is a reminder that so much around us can change - but it is those moments of the crack of the rack, the cheer of getting the combo shot, and the shake of hands when it's over that shows that it's not just about the pool table - but about the energy of a place that is welcoming and curated by people who care about what they do - and care about who comes through their doors. Thank you Jason and Mike B to bringing this to 4th St and supporting the community that was already here - and for building a community for the future. Thank you to Christina and Brandon for always having amazing pictures, decor, and fun events at 616 that help introduce new folks into this great spot. Time is short. Learn about Root Beer Whiskey. Write your name on the Chalk Board. No one lives forever.

    I love the vibe here. It's about the energy and atmosphere for sure. Reminiscent of the bars /…read moreclubs in Baja California or Mexico in general, it's lively with a back patio area and even like a taquero there, at least on weekends. The drat beer selection is solid and the cocktails are well crafted. Highly recommend this spot. One of my favorite it's Downtown Stabba Ana

    Photos
    Shaken Not Shy cocktail
    Shaken Not Shy cocktail
    Lady In Red cocktail
    Lady In Red cocktail
    Garden State Of Mind Cocktail

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    Garden State Of Mind Cocktail
    Chaak Kitchen

    Chaak Kitchen

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Wow. Totally outstanding. We had reservations for 1:30, but traffic was really bad so it looked…read morelike our arrival time was more like 2 o'clock. We call them and give them a heads up and wondered if there was still availability. Melody was pretty transparent and said that there is a different menu between two and five ---a more limited menu. She asked if there was anyway we could get there before 2 o'clock. Long story short, she was super gracious and told the cooks that we would get there a little after two and they would make us something from the lunch menu. Isa was our waitress, and she was phenomenal! Great sense of humor, very transparent about the different menu items. I got a copal and it was fantastic! Smoky and spicy, but not too spicy. We started our late lunch with Caesar salad, Sopa Limon, Seabreem fish dish. We also got the cubano. We were so stuffed by the end of it, but everything was phenomenal. The Caesar salad was a great way to start the meal, but after a couple of bites of it once we had the other dishes, it didn't stand out as much. We probably would've ordered the same thing all over again, with the exception of the Caesar salad (although it was still good!) Sopa Limon had a very unique bone broth flavor. It was a little sweet. So amazing. Seabreem dish - the vegetables played an important part in the flavors! The fries and the aïoli for the Cubano was amazing. The Cubano was excellent, but was a big serving. We sat outdoors, but if I had to have my choice, I would prefer indoors because the ambience indoors is similar to a resort. It reminds us of a place up in the Bay Area called Luna in Campbell. Except the food here is slightly better :). Will definitely return!

    This place is so cute! In the heart of old town Tustin. Open air seating, good vibes + the best…read moreservice and food. Everything we ordered was so good. I forgot the names of them all but just trust me on this one! Our server brought us out their house made hot sauce that complimented every dish we ordered. Don't forget to ask for it! One was a black charred ghost pepper paste like sauce, nothing like I've ever had. So good. The best thing about all of the food was nothing was too saucy or salty. My girlfriends ordered some drinks and they loved it too. We went on a Thursday and they had a farmers market on the streets as well!

    Photos
    Dining Room and Kitchen
    Dining Room and Kitchen
    Bone-In Prime New York Strip
    Bone-In Prime New York Strip
    Parrillada Yucatan

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    Parrillada Yucatan
    Sonder

    Sonder

    4.3
    (192 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    So I had banh duc which is like a Vietnamese bolognese with rice flour pudding. Utterly insane. A…read moremust try. So savory and delicious. Then I had their take on a Mexican seafood cocktail (I hate the original). Amazing. Culinary engineering at its finest. They do some magic to make a clear sauce that has a hint of acid, tomato and horseradish. Octopus. Thinly sliced shrimp. Nate the chef is a master. Top 5 in Oc. The food is basically comfort food married with brilliant technique and execution. A must visit !!!!!

    Pro Tip: If you are visiting the restaurant, SIT INSIDE. Outside is not the same vibe…read more I regrettably was late, and we had to forfeit our inside reservation for an outside reservation. We still enjoyed the food, but the outside lacks ambiance. You cannot hear the music from the outside, the decor is nonexistent, and there aren't any umbrellas available. If you are looking to enjoy the vinyls and the ambiance, sit inside. As for the food, it's mostly very small plates that can be shared, but are small portions, unless you get the limited edition or shared plates. It can get pricey if you try the skewers and appetizers. We got the Bone Marrow Onigiri, Pickled Plate, Pork Belly Skewers, Hanger Steak Skewers, and Scallops, and everything was yummy. I will give this spot another shot and make sure to sit inside before I make up my mind.

    Photos
    Sophisticated bar and classy chandeliers
    Sophisticated bar and classy chandeliers
    Little Gem Salad: black vinegar caesar * preserved lemon * shallot confit * cured fresh peppercorns * bread crumb * smoked pecorino | $15
    Little Gem Salad: black vinegar caesar * preserved lemon * shallot confit * cured fresh peppercorns * bread crumb * smoked pecorino | $15
    CHICKEN OYSTERS: Buttermilk brined thighs, tare sauce | $8ea

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    CHICKEN OYSTERS: Buttermilk brined thighs, tare sauce | $8ea
    Strong Water Anaheim

    Strong Water Anaheim

    4.6
    (992 reviews)
    8.6 mi
    $$

    Back here to update after 3 years. Came in to celebrate a birthday and had such a fun time. I…read moreordered the NA version of the taro colada, and also got a NA birthday shot which was pretty thoughtful. Ordered: taro colada, NA taro colada, + Dubai chocolate lava cake for $49. The service was stellar as always, and so was the ambiance. My niece had a fun and unique experience for her 21st birthday!

    Second time at Strong Water and the staff always makes it a lovely experience. Be sure to reserve…read morein advance. Parking is validated for 2 hours in Car Park 4. The best part of Strong Water is the immersive experience you feel sitting inside. We sat in the Captain's quarters which was an intimate spot for great conversation. Our waiter was very friendly and gave plenty of options. We opted for the Crispy Tuna Appetizer which unfortunately was not good at all. The tuna and toppings were okay but the crispy rice tasted like fried fair food almost with the texture of a rice cake. Hopefully, their other dishes are better. For drinks, the waiter helped select the Banana Batida for me which was very lovely! I love how customized the recommendations were. My partner ordered a rum drink which he enjoyed as well. We finished off with a brownie dessert. I really enjoyed the passion fruit puree and kiwi topping. The brownie tasted good but was very dense which isn't my preference. Overall, would recommend. Prioritize the drinks over the food in my opinion

    Photos
    3 Dots & A Dash and Tales from the Black Lagoon
    3 Dots & A Dash and Tales from the Black Lagoon
    Tempura King Oyster Mushrooms & Shishito Peppers
    Tempura King Oyster Mushrooms & Shishito Peppers
    Captain's Quarters

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    Captain's Quarters

    Sushi Damu - sushi - Updated July 2026

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