Taraval Okazu Ya Restaurant

I love this place, it is a casual neighborhood establishment with tons or regulars, good service and delicious food! Japanese food all the way. There is all the typical cooked Japanese food, as well as all the yummy sushi you could ask for. I love all the sushi I have ever had here, and I also love the fried sea bass or butter-fish entrees as well as the short ribs. I can't say anything bad about the food in the place. I really have a good time here. Never had a bad experience from the first time I came here in high school, to now as an adult 12 years later.

I've found the food on a decline over the years. Been here 2x this year and the tempura batter is hard, bland and dry. A real disappointment. The combo dinners are reasonable for under $11 with good portion. Tried the CAL bear roll, which turned out to be soggy (imitation crab inside, topped with unagi), another disappointment. My dinner came with tempura and tuna sashimi which was fair and deep fried scallops - the batter wasn't good either. Had 2 orders hamachi nigiri - definitely have had better tasting hamachi elsewhere. The grilled Chilean seabass which is usually a favorite of ours, was fishy smelling and rubbery, the 3rd disappointment. This 2nd visit this year reminded me why I've not been coming back here for the food with regularity anymore.

Pros: Popular neighborhood restaurant

Cons: Food has been on a decline, parking difficult

This is my favorite japanese restaruant! (its not explanatory) The sushi is cheap, but not the best quality. This chubby server alway brings me a smile because he work so hard... and have to walk back and forward at this narrow hallway they have. Never had a chance to sit in front of the sushi bar... it can get crowded at night. There are four tables at the very back, never ask to sit there! The back room scares me, have flies... makes me feel like it used to store trash cans. Other than that, any seats at the restaruant is great. I used to order sushi to go after lunch and before dinner... when the business is not as busy. I get the best service! All their waiters and sushi chef kept me entertained while I was waiting, and free cup of tea! ^.^

Pros: Friendly, Cheap, More interactions

Cons: the dirty back room

I love this place. Its so family-oriented, the sushi is always fresh, Ben the manager is very friendly. The 49er roll is the BOMB!

it was ok. sushi was average and no wait. there weren't any prices for most of the rolls and combos on the menu, so i stayed away from that. I saw the sizzling plate, but wasnt' sure where it was on the menu. Average food, could be fresher and more appealing, but the servers seem attentive and are nice.

Pros: fast and cheap

Cons: not that fresh?

i LOVE this place! nice atmosphere, good prices, hella good food. they even serve you yummy ice cream after dinner! MUST GO

Their sashimi is fresh to the taste, and rolls are plentiful to choose from. YOu will not be disappointed here. Its a small restaurant, so it crowds up fairly quickly... but deserves the wait. The price is decent for the size and portion provided. This is actually my top choice for sushi in SF.

Fave is the volcano roll, packs a lot of flavor with a kick of spice.

We've been going to Okazuya for almost 10 yrs. I would write a bad recommendation so that no one else would go, but that would be too selfish ;) They always provide large pieces of the freshest fish. Service is soso, but if you ask they will get it for you. We always compare when we eat sushi on vacation. There's nothing like coming home and sitting at the bar for large plate of sashimi and a good laugh from Mike (the funny sushi chef at the end). For a low key everyday setting for great food, I would go here. If you want to overpay for the atmosphere then you should go elsewhere.

Pros: food, food, food.

Cons: Street parking is tricky. they only take reservations for 6 people or more.

I have been going here for a couple of years now and I have rarely been disappointed. The sushi is rather cheap when compared to the likes of Ebisu, but maintains the flavor. The bento boxes are a sweet deal with complimentary ice cream included. The service is usually excellent, although on a couple of occassions it was rather slow. If you are looking for a neighborhood spot that has good food without the pretentiousness of Benihana or Ebisu, this is the spot to try - at least once.

Pros: sushi, inexpensive, good parking

Cons: sometimes service

the sushi is amazing, fresh and delicious. the bento boxes offer generous amounts of food for $7-8, great stuff. lots of people, get there early.

Pros: fresh, delicious

This is a local favorite for many reasons - they have great prices, the sushi is fresh and creative, and best of all, the grilled fish selection is delicious. The service is a little slow at times but the food is well worth the wait. I really can't complain - there's a reason this place is busy all the time.

Pros: Fresh Fish, Friendly Service, Cheap Prices

Cons: Crowded, Slow Service at Times, Tough Parking

Excellent food that my family has been patronizing for over a half dozen years. Non sushi lovers will enjoy the Iron Plate specials posted on a whiteboard in both the front and back rooms. A fish comes sizzling on an iron platter with some cooked soybean sprouts and a bowl of rish. The sea bass is very good.

The service is horrid, but worth it for the quality of the food and price. Ignore the menu and order from the long white sheet listing sushi and from the whiteboards. Try some of their more interesting maki, including the spicy tuna with cilantro. The caterpillar roll is a good basic. I recommend getting the soft shell crab appetizer instead of the Spider Maki, if you are considering ordering it.

Pros: Great Sushi, Good Prices

Cons: Crowded, Poor Service, Long Waits

Like the other reviews, the service can be suspect...but that is part of the appeal. The place used to be a few doors up and was even more cramped than this "expanded" version. Those who are die hard fans realize that the little annoyances like the service or the wait, are well worth the delicious food. Everything I have had there is great...I highly recommend the oysters, the mahi mahi or sea bass on the sizzling platter, and the sushi. The sushi is better than Ebisu's and will save you enough money to buy some sake. Enjoy.

Pros: Food Quality, Quirky

Cons: Service

This is one of my favorite sushi places. they have the best, largest variety of rolls at an unbeatable price. try the sushi nuggets if you want something different. the service is slow, but it's because the place is packed every single day. lines have formed outside before the place is even open for dinner. it's because the food is so good. i would recomend taking your food to go.

Pros: best sushi, good value

Cons: bit slow, crowded

The best thing to order at this place is any variety of fish on the iron platter. Order off the white board for this instead of the regular menu. Your fish will come on a semi-sizzling iron platter and you can choose from sole, seabass, orange roughy, salmon, halibut, etc. Great sushi selection as well. Service is less than stellar but who cares when you can get great food for a good price like this?

Pros: Delicious fish, Sushi selection

Cons: Long waits, Sharing tables

Service was very slow. I agree, hiring teens who dont know anything is a turnoff.