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    The Grubbies

    4.0 (175 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Closed • Closed

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    THE GRUBBIES ATMOSPHERE

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    Dogs allowed

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    Mini Chef's Choice Set
    Julie L.

    It's been awhile since I've had Grubbies now that I mostly WFH. Was in the office and was around the area for and grabbed their mini omakase! The sashimi is so so fresh and soft it basically melts! The selection for the day was a bit boring compared to what I've had in the past and it looks different from the picture. I know it's 'chef choice' so it's different every-time but I wasn't expecting to get two slices of the same fish each, so it was lacking a bit of a variety. I missed their cute furoshiki compared to the now brown paper bag. Either way I'd still come back for more

    Miso Soup
    Adam B.

    No fancy scarf tied up as a to-go satchel here, unlike their other location. However, same high quality sushi options. And it seems like it may be freshly made to order, since it took a little time, instead of just handing out of a fridge like the other location. Grubbies Nigiri Combo: Loved that the nigiri each had their own unique sauce/topping, so to add a little subtle flavor. Though the fish itself is very high quality, so that subtle accent is really all you need since you don't want to overpower it. Only 4 nigiri and one maki roll, but at least each piece is a probably two bites. A good fit when you want a light lunch, especially good for a warm day. The maki was very hearty though, with lots of salmon and avocado. Definitely on the more expensive side for grab-and-go, but a nice treat. Nagoya Infused Unagi Set: I normally never have this much unagi, usually just a bite or two in a mixed sushi dinner. It was intense! The cuts are thin and there's a lot of rice underneath, but it's kinda the right balance. Rich eel and luxurious sweet sauce. Japanese Style Bulgogi: I thought this was gyudon, but if they want to identify as bulgogi then that's their business. Not as fancy as the sushi options, since it's a little like Yoshinoya. It was tasty and satisfying, but if I'm going to pay over $25 then I might as well get the sushi.

    Nigiri Combo Set
    Audrey I.

    Take a step too fast and you'll miss The Grubbies, the hidden gem takeout-only sushi spot, tucked away in FiDi. Despite having no seating, The Grubbies suits the neighborhood perfectly -- most patrons are simply finance bros seeking quick and easy lunches. And, with all due sincerity, I'd choose this place over Chipotle or Cava any day. I really wanted to dislike Grubbies--its quirky name, the seemingly small portions--but I just can't. For shy under thirty dollars, the nigiri set is outstanding. Every nigiri is crafted with care; the fish portions are generous with each nearly twice the thickness of the rice and lightly seared for extra flavor. The maki rolls are also impressively thick and double the size of traditional maki. Every morsel is a godsend. Even the wasabi is fresh, and the set includes a hearty miso soup with seaweed. Grubbies is a no-frills spot, free of extraneous garnishes or elaborate decor. They just do fresh fish on sushi rice, and they do it exceptionally well. I'll definitely be back.

    Truffle Salmon Set: comes with miso soup, rice, seaweed and all the sauce ingredients!
    M Y.

    Got the truffle salmon set - the fish was so so fresh and unbelievably delicious, super thick cuts of sashimi with vibrant colors. A bit on the pricy side, but truly can't beat that level of freshness. The lady serving the food at the window was super sweet! Sadly they do not use the furoshiki anymore, I just got a paper bag - wish I could've gotten that packaging, would've been an added bonus!!

    Claudia S.

    This place has been on my lunch list for so long and I finally tried it the other day - which maybe it was my mistake for waiting too long since they first opened. I'm not even sure I am reviewing the same store as the rest of y'all because... this was terrible. First, the menu is now very limited with just a few types of rice bowls (salmon, tuna, chef's choice, unagi, and chicken curry) and one nigiri option, which I got. I ordered online for pickup, but still waited a few minutes more when I showed up about 5 minutes after my pickup was supposed to be ready. No problem here tho, did not deduct stars. However, for about $35, I wouldn't say the fish was as fresh as some of these reviews described, and I found a piece of fish scale in my nigiri. The sushi rice was WAY overcooked (see below photo of mushy rice in the tekka maki roll). The dollops of ginger and yuzu pepper seasoning were simply shocking, and I could not believe I was having food from the same place that people have been hyping based on the omakase don (which they no longer have). Lastly, kimchi flavored seaweed? To complement what? It's as if the meal wasn't bad enough, they had to add insult to injury with this mockery. Have not had sushi this bad since maybe an airport in Texas, and that should tell you enough. I don't I think have been this disappointed in a long time. One star added for the lady at the front being friendly.

    Packaging
    Cindy L.

    I'll admit, I purchased this solely for the aesthetics and it definitely did not disappoint. The hanker chief reminds me of an Hermes hanker chief and the overall presentation was just so adorable. The truffle salmon was pretty good and tasted fresh. There were also bits of ikura in it which was nice. It also came with rice + seasoning, seaweed, and a miso soup. The miso soup unfortunately was very basic and pretty lacking. The meal was very filling and I'd go back again. Service was nice and the staff there was patient and explained everything to me. The wait was not too bad, maybe around 10 mins, which is pretty good considering it was during lunch hours for that area.

    online menu
    Katherine L.

    unfortunately the unagi bowls are not good - unagi is sliced and fanned over the rice so there's not many pieces. also looks nothing like the picture on their online ordering where there are two full filets (one kabayaki, one shirayaki) of unagi in each bowl. i liked their truffle salmon at the other location but grubbies in general is overpriced compared to ebiko. service was fine, this was a pick up order. can't speak to ambiance as there's no seating.

    Nagoya Infused Unagi Set
    Adam T.

    This is perhaps my favorite sushi spot in the city at the moment. Generous, fresh slices of sashimi and expertly prepared nigiri that balances all the right notes, including a subtle hint of wasabi folded in. My favorites are the nigiri combo and truffle salmon set, which stand out from an already strong lineup. The miso soup that comes with each order is also top notch and classic. Service is quick and friendly. As I work in FiDi, this takeout sushi setup works well and is often preferred. The experience is focused on the quality of the offerings, which I can appreciate.

    Simple takeout only menu
    Jennifer W.

    Very simple takeout only place for some sashimi or simple Japanese bento entree. They only had a few options which probably makes it easy to prepare. We ordered the omakase set, which came with 7 pieces of sashimi (though it wasn't labeled and some fish were not what we expected given the description), rice, miso soup, and seaweed for $20. You can also include a drink with your meal, but it's extra of course. Order wasn't quite ready by the quoted time, but it came out within 5 minutes after we arrived to ask for it. They packed everything very neatly and separately and it even comes in a reusable small tote bag with their branding on it. Only caveat was it seems like our order did not come with soy sauce, but it did come with wasabi. All in all, it was a nice and light omakase meal for takeout, but still quite filling. The furikake on the rice was a great addition (actually wish they provided more). The fish was pretty fresh though I wish I knew what some of the unknown pieces were.

    Michelle M.

    Quick and easy lunch in Fidi. Super fresh food and great quality. I will Definitely be back (:

    Mini Omakase
    Devina D.

    Use to always walk by this place on the way to work, so finally got around to trying it. This is definitely a hole-in-the-wall place and I highly recommend trying it out. I would preorder because they usually sell out of their fish sets later in the day (I checked around 4/5 PM, and they sold out of fish). I placed a pickup order for 12:45 PM and ordered the Mini Omakase Set + Sweetened Tea. When I arrived, I just had to wait a few minutes because someone was ahead of me. They definitely looked busy in the back! My total was $27.00 (20.95 for Mini Omakase, 1.99 for Tea) Mini Omakase Set came with a total of 7 pieces of Sashimi, but I'm not 100% sure what I received because there were no labels. I believe it was 2 Hamachi, 2 Salmon, 2 Scallops, Ikura, and something else (see photo). The quality of the Hamachi and Salmon was 10/10. Tasted very fresh and basically melted in your mouth. The portion of rice and miso was hefty, so it definitely filled me up after I finished everything. The Sweetened Tea was alright. Maybe because all the ice melted before I got to try, but it tasted watered down. I feel if the ice did not melt, the tea flavor would be stronger. For packaging, instead of using plastic/paper bags, they used branded reusable bags. They packed the bag with everything you needed: napkins, alcohol wipes, chopsticks, spork, toothpick, ginger/wasabi, and 2 soy sauce packets. Really glad they provided all that made eating very easy. This place is super accessible via public transportation. Just a few blocks from a Bart/Muni exit. You could definitely walk by and miss this place, the sign is not super prominent and the store is just a pickup window. It's near Sweetgreens. I know there is another location on Sacramento Street, but haven't gotten to try it yet. Definitely taking my S.O to this place after work!

    Nigiri Set
    Patrick L.

    Came back into the city recently as decided to pick up some sushi. Got the nigiri set, a little pricey, but the fish is fresh and everything was presented well. The food comes in the traditional cloth wrapping or a paper bag, I opted for the bag since I wasn't going to keep the cloth. The set also comes with Miso soup and seaweed

    Unagi Donburi
    Khuyen D.

    Finally got to try the grubbies ! I love the concept of it - quick pit stop at the door for quality (yummy) lunch or early dinner! I got the unagi donburi bowl ~ eel was cooked perfectly not to well done or over sauced. Can't wait to try other items.

    Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Brisket Set - $39 plus tax for beef that is definitely NOT Miyazaki wagyu or even wagyu. Also ridiculous portions.

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    2 years ago

    Awesome food. Quick grab. Order ahead makes it easy. No seating but there are parks nearby.

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    Tadaima - Mission

    Tadaima - Mission

    4.2(659 reviews)
    2.3 mi•Mission
    •$$

    If you're a matcha lover, Tadaima is worth checking out at least once. I kept hearing this was the…read morespot for all things matcha in the Bay, and it definitely lives up to the hype. We got there just before the line started, and by the time we ordered, it was wrapped around the block. It was wild! Don't sleep on the food, either. Their snack bites were delicious and made on the spot, great for the perfect fuel for a hike afterward. The matcha was smooth, not chalky, and flavorful - but personally, I don't think I'd wait in that long of a line for it. Would I go back? Probably not, but I'm still glad I got to experience it.

    Tagged along with my friend who wanted matcha. I love matcha, but I've been whisking mine at home…read morelately. When I saw the line at Tadaima I knew I had to try it too! I am rarely in SF...so naturally the fomo got to me. My friend ordered the hojicha latte and the matcha latte with strawberry cream. He also wanted a dirty matcha cream latte so I went ahead and ordered that one. Turns out I did not like the dirty matcha at all (the espresso overpowered the matcha imo) and ended up trading it for his matcha latte with strawberry cream. The latter was much better, although I have to say that the matcha here is not as strong as I personally prefer. I usually whisk my own matcha at home, and I prefer a grassy, non-nutty matcha. This drink tasted pretty good, but the matcha is too subtle, and similar to the dirty matcha, the other ingredient took over. I honestly don't know if I'd reorder this drink but if I'm in the area I may want to try a normal matcha latte to see how it compares.

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    Tadaima - Mission
    Tadaima - Mission - Pineapple Tonkatsu

    Pineapple Tonkatsu

    Tadaima - Mission - This is my Tadaima Combo  - Hojicha Latte w/ Salted Cheese Cream, Matcha w/ Strawberry Cream, Unagi, Avocado, Spam & Egg ‼

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    This is my Tadaima Combo - Hojicha Latte w/ Salted Cheese Cream, Matcha w/ Strawberry Cream, Unagi, Avocado, Spam & Egg ‼

    Izakaya Yoki - DOUBLE SALMON

    Izakaya Yoki

    4.1(740 reviews)
    0.7 mi•Lower Nob Hill, Nob Hill
    •$$$

    So glad this neighborhood finally has an AYCE sushi spot, and at a price that actually makes sense…read more For $40 a person you are getting a serious deal. One tip: get there early. The place fills up around 6pm so arriving ahead of that will save you a wait. They don't take reservations, so first come first served. The ordering experience is really smooth. Everything is done through an iPad at your table and the food comes out to you. They won't let you place a new order until your previous one has been delivered, which honestly is a smart system and helps with pacing so you don't over order right out of the gate. What sets this place apart from other AYCE spots is the variety. It's not just sushi. You can also order appetizers, salmon, teriyaki chicken and more, so there's something for people who want to mix it up beyond rolls. Delicious, easy, affordable and in the neighborhood. Highly recommend!

    -Food is just okay. 3 stars. Some good value sushi and cooked food won't be available in menu. It…read morelimited to order every single round. In average, waiting time for food is 10+ minutes each round. -Hopefully this staffs will have more training in buffet style dining. Server will give you check when there's still have available time to order in system. -Environment is just okay too. They just stuck some paper towel underneath the leg of table to balance.

    Photos
    Izakaya Yoki - Sushi bar- they churn out orders so fast!

    Sushi bar- they churn out orders so fast!

    Izakaya Yoki - ZZAM PPONG

    ZZAM PPONG

    Izakaya Yoki - Table setting

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    Table setting

    Rintaro - Teba no karate

    Rintaro

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    1.6 mi•Mission
    •$$$$

    What a truly magical Japanese restaurant…read more We're not talking cookie cutter sushi dishes trying to upsell freshness. We're talking about an eclectic mix of traditional and modern takes of true Japanese cuisine. It's great food done correctly. And if you don't have an obaasan to cook up some delicacies for you, welp, tough luck babe you're also paying the moderate price tag. But well worth it and I'm a willing participant. From architecture, lighting, drinks, hand-stuffed mochi coin pockets, nothing was left unattended. Perfectly curated. Keeping all charm and not compromising on integrity or dignity. Everything on the menu was good. Housemade umeshu is addicting. And the hojicha panna cotta was just plain dreamy. Not enough hands and mouth to eat and take pictures.

    Several people I know really hyped this place up and even said it was Michelin starred (really only…read morebib gourmand) so I came in with high expectations. It's quite difficult to get a reservation and my friend had to book it a month out. We ordered the $90 set menu and opted to get the $15 sashimi add on with 3 additional cuts that include Japanese uni. I thought it was a great deal for just the uni alone! Unfortunately it wasn't the best uni I've had - the flavor was pretty lacking, but at least it didn't taste bitter or foul. Can't really complain for the price. Most of the other dishes were pretty simple, but very well made. The chicken katsu had a perfect panko crisp on the outside. The udon was handmade with great texture - but had no additional protein besides an egg. My favorite part was the hojicha panna cotta at the end. Overall, the dishes were not very creative or memorable in any way if you've been to Japan before. But it's rare to find authentic and high quality Japanese meals in Bay Area and this is one of them. Also I was still a bit hungry after the meal :c

    Photos
    Rintaro - Interior

    Interior

    Rintaro - KUROBUTA TONKATSU

    KUROBUTA TONKATSU

    Rintaro - My least favorite of the skewers

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    My least favorite of the skewers

    Roka Akor - San Francisco

    Roka Akor - San Francisco

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    0.7 mi•Financial District
    •$$$

    Got one of each food item on their happy hour menu, which is enough to feed 2-3 people depending…read morehow hungry you are! Some favs: really enjoyed the calamari (fried ika), handrolls, sashimi tacos and truffle fries. All the paired dipping sauces were superb. Also loved my NA version of their Ayu Single which was the right amount of tart and sweet with passionfruit and hibiscus flavors. The only plate that felt like a miss was the wagyu kimchi dumplings - the flavor profile was off balance with it being too salty and on the soggier side (wish it was crispy). Fyi HH is 4:30-6pm M-F and 5-6:30pm on Saturdays. Be sure to bring your ID even if you're not drinking

    Came here for a birthday dinner to celebrate a girlfriend. The food is delicious and the staff will…read moreprovide great service. We started off our meal sharing a few small bites: Yellowtail sashimi - fresh, came marinated in a sweet sauce Crispy rice with spicy tuna tartare - my favorite dish, the crispiness of the rice with the soft texture of the tartare paired together so nicely Waygu beef and kimchi dumplings - not bad, but my least favorite. The flavors of the beef are muted because of the kimchi and the dumplings are small. For my main, I decided to get their lamb chops. This dish is made korean style with a spicy gochujang dipping sauce and a side of broccolini. The meat was cooked perfectly and while I wasn't sure how it would be with a korean style dipping sauce, it was actually quite a nice combo. the broccolini was charred and lemony and paired nicely with the heavier meat. Expect to pay a high price for your meal - for our group of 4, our bill was $800. Not a place I would frequent often because of that alone, but if you're looking for an upscale place to celebrate a special occasion, Roka Akor will deliver on food, ambience, and expierence.

    Photos
    Roka Akor - San Francisco
    Roka Akor - San Francisco
    Roka Akor - San Francisco

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    The Grubbies - japanese - Updated October 2026

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