Bob San: User Reviews

I eat sushi about once a week, and I took my boyfriend here and it was only his third time to have sushi. He loved the sushi! Ever since I have had sushi anywhere else it is not as good as Bob San! Bob San is the best sushi!!! The atmosphere is chill, but still fun and mellow. The bartender is great! The rolls are delicious!!!

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Last night I had an unfortunate run in with the manager at Bob San. First, let me preface this story by saying my wife and I have dined there multiple times, and enjoy sushi probably once a week. However, we will not be going back.

It all began one week ago when I ordered a bottle of Saki, and then only drank one glass of it. I thought I could simply take it home with me. However, it turns out Bob San doesn't allow its customers to leave with sealed bottles of alcohol, like other restaurants. Details aside, the manager agreed to begrudgingly save the bottle "for seven days." No more, no less. And, if my wife and I wanted to dine within that allotted period of time, the bottle would be on ice for us.

Based on this compromise, we decided to enjoy another meal at Bob San five days later. We had appetizers, salads, oyster shooters, sashimi and a variety of rolls. And, the manager had kept her word. The Saki was waiting for me. I had two glasses, but of course could not finish the bottle. Good thing I had two more days, right? Not exactly. The manager came over and disappointedly berated me for not finishing the Saki. She then revisited how lucky I was that she had made an exception in the first place. And, that she would never do this for me again. Regardless, I told her that I'm just living up to the agreement, and that I have two more days to enjoy my Saki. In fact, my wife and I were going to stop by on Friday (that would have been our third visit in one week!). Instead, the manager stormed off with the bottle.

Beside myself, I paid the check (it was our server's first night, and she did a lovely job). On the way out, I saw the manager holding my bottle of Saki and talking to another server about it. I interjected and told her to throw the bottle away. Being scolded in public for not finishing my bottle, like a little child, wasn't worth the $30 I paid for it. I also explained that because of her rude display of "customer service" we would not be dining with Bob San again. It's really a shame because the sushi is very good. And, this was an opportunity for the manager to establish a relationship that could have yielded several incremental visits. In fact, had it been handled correctly, we would have dined there three times in one week! Talk about Return on Investment.

Instead, like many passionate diners, I'm taking my story to the blogosphere and sharing it with my friends who also live in the area. Do I feel like I'll miss out on Bon San sushi? Not really. Bucktown/Wickerpark has plenty of sushi spots. Like they always say, there's plenty of fish in the sea!

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The fish they use is just "okay" sometime better - sometimes worse. It's fairly hit or miss with the quality and freshness. Sometimes the hosts can be rude, and sometimes the waitstaff makes you feel rushed. That asside - the food is nothing special. I would choose most other sushi places over this. Its convenient location is probably its best quality.

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Bob San is hit or miss...and the hits are mediocre.

The unagi usually tastes stale and the unagi sauce is so syrupy sweet. Yuck!

I have been here several times (due to convenience and friends talking me into it) and I have never had good, fresh rolls from here. Everything tastes "fishy" like it's been sitting there for a few days. The tuna even tastes rubbery! For the price point, I would expect more.

I don't know why there is so much hype about this place. You're better off walking down a few blocks to Mirai...they definitely set a far better standard on neighborhood sushi.

The environment is the only thing this place has going on, which hardly makes it worth visiting.

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There are (by my count) 5 sushi places within walking distance of the Polish Triangle, but this is the one I keep going to. Atmosphere is nice enough to take friends/family to, but not overly snooty or trendy.

Fish quality (I usually get tuna and salmon) is consistent, and the rice used in the maki is pleasantly sweet but not overly so.

Service is always good and quick. I prefer sitting at the bar myself for the convenience factor, but the wait staff is also very friendly and helpful. I've probably been here about 20 times this year and have never received bad service or a screwed-up order.

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If you go to this restaurant you will not be disappointed! The service is great and the sushi is even better! You HAVE to get the House Crunch Roll if you go there. Hot towels to start the meal and finish will a half an orange. Great place and it is a great value too - I can't say enough great things about this restaurant.

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how can i say this.....food is okay, not great. just good. nice atmosphere. a bit on the spendy side. i've had better value at MANY other places. i can take or leave it.

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I've tried them all, Bob San is by far the best sushi in the city..Try the house crunch with spicy mayo

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The worst sushi place I have been to. The sushi rice recipe is terrible -- way too sweet for my taste. Rolls were mediocre and small, the one I ordered was falling apart even before I ate it. The prices are a bit on the high side for the small portion size (I don't mind paying a little extra if quantity and quality are better than average). For my money, there are a lot of better sushi restaurants to choose from in Chicago.

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My husband and I eat here 2-3 times per month - it's our favorite sushi restaurant in the city! The sushi and rolls are always fresh - and the service is always friendly and professional.

Bob himself is awesome! Whenever we eat at the bar, he always slips extra ginger on my plate :)

Bob San will not disappoint!!

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