Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill in La Mesa

4.4 (199) 8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 106, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States

Categories

Sushi restaurant
Bar & grill
Family restaurant
Japanese restaurant
Restaurant

Location on the map

La Mesa, San Diego County, California, US

Phone: +1 619-589-0071
Site: http://banbusushi.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–10 PM
Saturday:11:30 AM–10 PM
Sunday:11:30 AM–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

199 Reviews for Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill 2024:

Review №1

2023-07-31 22:34:04

Great food as usual. Nice atmosphere. But the service was not as good. The waitress was not able to multitask, with a full house, very well. The drinks were good, but a little over priced for being in a Restaurant where food and dining is the main event.. They are very creative with the presentations of different Sushi dishes/rolls. The outdoor dining is nice too.

Review №2

2023-10-04 03:14:30

Came here for a celebration of life luncheon and the food and service was awesome!Great food however I’m from the bay area and I found it hard to justify $25 plus for ramen 🍜 and other dishes.

Review №3

2023-11-03 07:49:55

The freshest and best tasting sushi I have had in a long time. Chicken Terriaki was amazing. Service was great and a very nice atmosphere.

Review №4

2023-09-20 03:37:23

I was looking for sushi with vegan options for my friend and we found this place. Im not vegan, but their vegan options are on point. I got the combo sushi and sashimi platter and Im always reminded of how boring I find tuna to be. Chefs choice often means tuna, shrimp, yellowtail, albacore, and salmon. Tuna is always so boring to me. No fault of the restaurant. Thats on me for forgetting and then ordering something I dont like. The highlight of the platter was the yellowtail. It was buttery and creamy on the palate. I almost didnt recognize it. In fact, I didnt believe it until I asked the waitress and had her confirm what it was. Fortunately I had taken a picture. I highly recommend the special sweet potato roll if they still have it. Its supposedly seasonal. Its a vegan roll with truffle oil and avocado and it was delicious. It would be a bit dry and flat, but the truffle oil just brings out a depth of flavor that makes the whole thing sing. I got the creme brulee for dessert because it looked like the only thing on the menu that required any skill to make and that was the best choice I made all night. They used coarse raw sugar for the brulee and it was lightly sweet and the bitterness you get on the front end comes after you get the creaminess. The raspberry puree that comes on the side brings out the vanilla and a hint of almost a banana flavor that rounds out all the flavors. One of the best Ive ever had.

Review №5

2023-10-12 23:05:59

Sushi was great, just pretty expensive. Most rolls were $30 at least on the menu we had. An awful lot of the fancy factor probably went into that, as far as so many ingredients in everything. The miso soup was tasty.

Review №6

2023-07-14 20:29:07

I don’t have much to compare it to since I’m used to buying store bought sushi from Whole Foods, but this place was 10x better than that!! Everything tasted very fresh, service was good!! I will definitely return!!

Review №7

2023-04-24 17:15:52

Went here on a double date with some friends who love sushi and one in the party who was trying to be low-carb. First it was super easy to make a reservation and when we came in they asked us if wed like to sit inside or outside. We chose outside since it was a nice night. The patio was perfect in the ambiance was exactly what we wanted, not so quiet that it was awkward, but not too loud that we couldnt hear each other and enjoy the conversation of our company.Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable and recommended several options for us since it was our first time. We ordered the brussel sprouts with pork belly, the Zen roll, the lemon cilantro roll, the island coconut shrimp roll, one other roll, and the kung pao chicken.Ill start with the app and the chicken since those may seem less normal at a place known for sushi. The Brussels sprouts were great and the pork belly edition was perfect. The Kung Pao chicken was hot, spicy and delicious.The lemon cilantro roll didnt go over so well with our crowd, but the ZenRoll was amazing (loved the extra mango on top!) And the island shrimp roll was also delicious - very reminiscent of a pina colada and the shrimp was cooked to crispy perfection. If you like coconut, you should definitely try it.We also tried the spicy jalapeno margarita and it was enjoyed by those who ordered it.This place is super cute, has a ton of menu options for varied dietary needs or tastes, has a friendly staff, decent service time, and we never felt rushed out (dined in on a Saturday night). Not to mention the weather was perfect for patio dining!! We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and have already recommended it to a couple of different friends. We will definitely be back, I think this is our new sushi spot in La Mesa!!

Review №8

2023-09-03 04:00:01

Delicious sushi, sashimi and perfect and friendly service!!!The glazed Brussels sprouts with pork belly bites was an amazing starter!!

Review №9

2023-06-11 22:53:35

* Loved this resturant. Fantastic sushi, served very elegantly! Waitress was extremely helpful. I loved my view of the wrap around garden seating outdoors. Loved my tropical cocktail glass too.The couple next to us had the tempura appetizer which had very large battered veggies. Resturant appears to be very popular for sushi or appetizers! Inside tables are a little close together but that way we didnt have to wait to be served.Sadly my husbands view included a tv running dental implant and rhynoplasy infomercials which were extremely unappetizing.In such a nice setting (the place has beautuful windows) its a shame that resturants have to have a tv on at all.

Review №10

2022-12-31 19:10:31

Great service, very attentive staff and very comfortable place. I’ve been coming to this restaurant for 10 years.Last night, the food was good but not as good as it usually is. (Last time I went was one year ago)The bamboo roll tasted very good, but it felt a bit too fried maybe it stayed frying for a bit too long.The miso soup lacked taste.Everything else was very good and I’m usually very satisfied with the food and service is always EXCELLENT

Review №11

2023-03-11 00:41:55

In short words, food was good but a bit pricey!!!The waitress was nice and helpful.Tonbo roll was very good.An update:This is my third time. Well, again, I think its just a little pricey as compared to a similar quality of food. I cant complain. Everything has gone up.Yes, the food is very good.Sushi and sashimi combo with the poppers.

Review №12

2023-10-27 01:23:19

Amazing and delicious food. Good prices and great customer service definitely recommend this place.

Review №13

2023-11-18 18:05:05

The food is a bit pricey, but I know that going in. The bar service is great. My girlfriend and I like to sit at the bar but I do have a complaint about the temperature. They have vents aimed right at the seating area and the average temperature is 55-60°. We’ve asked them to please adjust the air conditioner so we don’t have to sit there wearing heavy coats. The bartender usually says that there is nothing that he can do and ignores the situation. That’s about the only disappointing part of the restaurant. As I said, it is pricey to go in there, with an average bill well over $100. Great food though. It’s kind of a shame… We would still probably come in more often, if they didn’t keep the bar area as cold as a refrigerator.

Review №14

2023-04-05 05:33:50

I have been here a couple times because my friends invited me to dinner here. I would not come here on my own. It’s a really hyped up sushi place. I recall the food being good but not worth the price points. Everything is super pretty and instagramable. The ambience is nice. But you can definitely get better sushi elsewhere at better prices so I would pass on this place. They have a ton of cute mixed drinks. Nice staff. Clean environment. Nice aesthetic.

Review №15

2023-10-04 04:59:08

A friend of ours was celebrating and offered to buy us dinner, other wise this place would have been more or less out of my budget. The entrees were excellent. I ordered the Sesame chicken and rice. With bottled water It was a dinner for 4 situation more or less a double date. Appetizer, entree, desert. Out the door was $250.00 plus tip. So about $300.00. It was all very good. Service was excellent, so for those of you who can afford to eat out at a nice place. This spot is just for you. But. I skipped college and am now a self made man, which is code for, I’m paycheck to paycheck. So. Go for it if you got it like that. Hope this helps.

Review №16

2022-07-28 02:23:06

This place is definitely beautiful and the staff was friendly but.. I honestly was not impressed by the food and was a little disappointed because it was a very nice setting. The food also took a long time to come out even though it wasnt too busy. We ordered a Tonkotsu Ramen, Sesame Chicken and had a Diablo drink.. it didnt taste bad or anything but when youre paying a price for quality you expect it to taste better than less expensive places around town. They have great presentation and very good service so I may come back to give them another shot. 🤷‍♂️

Review №17

2023-11-18 03:29:02

I saw an add for this place and we decided to try it. As it was Saturday night, the place was pretty busy, so it took quite a long time for the food to come out, but I get it. Our server was nice and tried to make it a great experience for us. We ordered oysters, 2 sushi rolls, ramen special. I saw a few pictures of sushi online and was excited to try. Presentation of sushi was great but to be honest the taste was pretty basic, the pictures online are more impressive than it turned out to be.

Review №18

2023-08-07 02:49:08

Love eating at this place. Good food and good service. I recommend it to anyone wanting to eat good food.

Review №19

2022-04-11 07:24:13

A very nice place in East County San Diego with a pleasant ambiance. The service is excellent and the staff are friendly and efficient. The food is tasty and the Banbu & Malibu rolls were very good. Pricing is a little higher than moderate but worth the dining experience. Cocktails are somewhat watered down unless you request a decent pour. I recommend...

Review №20

2021-06-19 14:20:32

Quantity versus quality. The rolls are bigger but the taste is generic. Prices per roll around $14-24. This place will do if you are in a pinch but you can find better quality/tasting sushi places in town. The drinks are good.

Review №21

2022-12-05 02:46:49

My Dear Friend/Amy and Me ate a delicious appetizer (endive) and our entrees were sushi/salmon rolls and sesame chicken/teriyaki with rice.Sushi was very fresh/delicious and sesame chicken teriyaki with rice delicious and plentiful.My friend drank a spicy margarita and I drank corona in the bottle.After our dinner,We drank a several top-shelf tequila shots to end our week on a wonderful note.Nice ambiance and friendly staff.We will definitely come back.👍💯🙂

Review №22

2023-02-22 22:29:44

Amazing presentation and quality. We ordered multiple sushi rolls to share as a table. The staff is wonderful and the atmosphere is very warm. Its a little pricey, but worth it.

Review №23

2021-10-05 19:33:03

A little late, but we had dinner from Banbu a few days ago. Ordered to pick up and take home. Some was good and decently priced, while some were so overly priced for what you get it was very disappointing. We got several items. Chicken katsu, Jalapeño poppers, Afterburner roll,chicken fried rice and the crispy Mahi Mahi. When we saw the Mahi on the menu we had to get it. It was pricy. Near $20.00 for rhe plate. Unfortunately when we got it it was 4 fish stick like items with a few larger seaweed chips and some lack luster French fries. The sauce cup was larger than the fish. This could of been the winner of the dinner but was not. The chicken katsu was OK. Looked like something we could do easily here at home. The sushi was better for sure. Had a kick to it with the spicy tuna and Jalapeño. The popper was good too. Spicy, but we liked that. The chicken fried rice was the best part of the meal and probably the cheapest actually. We hadnt been here in a while and our previous experience was better when we ate in the restaurant. My boyfriend even said if we ate there he would of sent back the Mahi. Thats a big statement, because he never does that. We paid near $100 for what we ordered and felt a little jipped in the end.

Review №24

2022-08-28 05:56:27

OMG it has been the best sushi I have ever tasted. Everything on the menu is so tempting and delicious. Great place to celebrate a special occacion or a Bday.

Review №25

2021-08-02 01:17:49

It’s always nice to find a Asian restaurant that serves cocktails. I love Asian food since I’m Chinese. But my husband needs to drink during brunch. So it’s important for us to find a nice Asian restaurant that serves nice drinks. Glad Bambi Sushi is a good place to go. We ordered what we wanted, he ordered spicy sushi, and it’s served on fire, how cool it is! I ordered a big warm bowl of Tan Tan noodles, I’m happy about that too. The salad is very nice, the ginger dressing tastes very authentic. It’s definitely a very nice restaurant, plus they have a cute outdoor patio area.

Review №26

2022-02-18 16:45:57

Banbu has tasty rolls, attractive plating and good service. They also have a full bar and a nice atmosphere. The patio area has a nice fire pit. Though the rolls tend to be pricier here compared to other local places.

Review №27

2023-09-26 20:56:44

Nothing should be this expensive. Don’t get me wrong, sushi was good but I had sushi as good for half the price. A root beer or a kid’s pineapple should never be $5, ever. Waitress accidentally added a $27 sushi roll to our order and instead of just acknowledging it, she took our ENTIRE order back just to remove the roll from the plate. That’s just terrible customer service for such expensive and “high end” place.

Review №28

2023-03-26 03:35:10

Service is good and the same can be said for atmosphere but wen it come to the food is was some of the worst I ever had the fried ( tempura ) shrimp it was soggy and wet with oil the rice was doughy, the jalapeño poppers plain is an overstatement overall a bad taste

Review №29

2023-07-16 00:27:08

Great place for sushi, amazing atmosphere. Delicious food.

Review №30

2023-08-07 20:47:35

The sushi was very good. The restaurant was nice. Servers were attentive. The rolls are a little larger than other sushi restaurants and I think the price per roll reflects that. Would go back again.

Review №31

2023-07-15 04:29:10

Honestly this place is average and not worth the price. Its a lovely place and the staff is nice but what youre playing for isnt worth it in my opinion. The food isnt bad but its not worth what theyre charging. If youre wanting a good night out with a nice atmosphere and dont care about the food this is your place.

Review №32

2022-12-11 03:00:19

Really liked the sushi. Staff was great. Restaurant really big. You can sit inside, outside, or at the bar.

Review №33

2022-09-02 06:49:22

This is by far the best sushi restaurant in San Diego County!The staff are amazing! The food, a sensory delight for both the eyes and the pallet! This is what a great restaurant looks, feels and tastes like! The success of BanBu is in the teamwork! Everyone and everything is on point! From the waiters, chefs, hostesses and bartenders. The moment you walk through the door you get 100% from everyone!And as far as the menu goes you can close your eyes and point to anything and expect something amazing!BanBu is a 5 Star dining experience in every way!

Review №34

2022-04-09 16:13:34

Great plating but slow service, food was greasy and overly salty. First time in my life I didn’t enjoy sushi. And super over priced. For 2 rolls and 1 appetizer the bill came out to be $80. Ridiculous.

Review №35

2022-08-25 19:54:18

Definitely worth the wait but not in the good way I ordered a bake scallop roll, ramen and firecracker shrimp 75 bucks. My shrimp wasnt cleaned properly( yuck) I dont mind paying for quality but this wasnt it. I asked for more ginger and was itlk be 75 cents I have never paid extra for ginger. The saving grace was the ramen but even then for the price...Ive had better. No wonder I only saw older ppl there. They have mula to blow

Review №36

2023-11-06 00:16:26

Good but $$$ most rolls are over $20. Better place to come on a date or for a meetup with friends than a dinner out for the family. Rolls are good, however they are not very traditional.

Review №37

2021-05-13 02:32:28

The sushi we had were good but not worth the high price. Tsuki down the street is much better and cheaper. $22.50 for a sushi roll in La Mesa is just way too over priced. Still think this place was better years ago when their sushi chefs were from Benihannas and cheaper. They havent been the same since the change.

Review №38

2021-10-20 08:04:17

Good place to enjoy some sushi. Well plated and attentive to detail.Work on serving folks who arrive there first, we waited 25 min for four sushi rolls and other folks who arrived after were served before us. Not a big deal but it wasn’t busy at all and seemed to get ignored.Staff was friendly and attentive, still a good place to eat if you have time to spare.

Review №39

2019-04-19 23:00:00

Great place I have a lot of people speak of the place and it did not disappoint. Great atmosphere food was delicious and service was great. The sushi rolls were excellent and the soups are to die for. Jalapeño apps are the best thing you will ever eat in your life......try it.

Review №40

2022-06-21 06:26:18

Sushi is fresh and tastes great. A very popular spot, but wait is usually not too long. I love the staff and the food (everything from Ramen to Sushi to the drinks). Highly recommended.

Review №41

2021-04-11 15:22:46

Ive wanted to eat here for 11 years since moving to San Diego, so to say the anticipation build up was huge is not an understatement. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Lizzy was our server and she was so great. I asked her to help me with some suggestions to get me out of my sushi comfort zone and everything she recommenders was spot on. So delish. Service was great, presentation was great, food was great. We will definitely be back!

Review №42

2018-11-22 06:55:07

We found this place after a day at the San Diego Zoo thanks to a Yelp promotion. The drive there wasnt bad. The sushi rolls tasted good, although they were overpriced compared to what Im used to paying for a good quality sushi roll. The wait staff was friendly and the atmosphere was nice.

Review №43

2023-01-06 04:04:47

This place is so so good. Worth it. I’ve been here several times. It’s become a regular date night spot. Highly recommend!

Review №44

2023-07-04 17:56:51

Tasty place. Fresh, large menu with vegetarian and vegan options. A little pricey but worth it. The staff is very attentive and the atmosphere is very nice and comfortable. I would recommend this place!

Review №45

2021-10-01 03:24:49

I am going to give a star in respect to the Hostesses and our Waitress that did a good job, but the food I can not excuse. I cant believe I spend 25$ on a roll to not even be fresh. I tried to take some pictures so you guys could see my frustration. My boyfriend order a Onion soup that was not seasoned and a Kung Pao Chicken that was spicy and definitely not homemade. I go to sushi Harney in Old town too much to know that the quality of the food here is NOT worth the price. I was so excited about the reviews. I am so confuse on how can people being ok paying so much for this food that is so average and definitely not homemade or higher quality ( as you expect when you pay 24$ for a roll)I just can not understand. I order a Kung Pao Chicken, Onion Soup, Philly roll and Jalapeño Poppers. The Jalapeños were good, but the rest was upsetting.

Review №46

2023-12-04 15:20:17

The restaurant boasts excellent food quality, accompanied by a friendly staff, making it an ideal spot for the entire family to enjoy.

Review №47

2021-11-23 06:10:21

Friendly staff serves thoughtfully presented food thats tasty. I like the patio and I really liked the Baja Norte Roll (yellowtail, jalapeno and more). Miso was good and seaweed salad was surprisingly excellent.Even the tea was awesome 👏👏👏

Review №48

2019-08-25 21:35:33

I have some favorite Sushi restaurants and I require not only quality food and fresh fish but the presentation is also very important. Sushi requires skill and knowledge of every ingredient without that knowledge the results can be mediocre at best and really gross and dangerous at worst case. Service was a little slow to respond for seating but once seated the service was excellent. I ask the waitress, Brooke L. several questions her answers proved she was very knowledgeable and familiar with menu items. I ordered a pineapple lychee iced tea, a disappointment as it tasted only like plain iced tea. I may have misunderstood when she asked if I wanted additional sweetener for which I declined. Maybe the flavor was in the sweetener. I ordered the Uni shooter and the seaweed salad both were very tastey, cold and refreshing. I ordered the Ultimate Hamachi Roll and the Aburi Toro &Salmon sashimi for the next round. The Ultimate Hamachi was a bit overpowered by the jalapeno slice and the cilantro. I think it is best without as the roll has a very mild flavor. The Aburi Toro was very good. Loaded with flavor but smooth as butter. I think I enjoyed that the most. Overall I had a nice time, the restaurant is comfortable and clean. The decor beautiful and a perfect spot to bring family and friends.

Review №49

2023-07-24 23:56:18

Love banbu, one of my fave sushi spots! A Lil more pricy but the taste and quality is worth it! The green helix roll is my all time fave! They Also have ramen which my kid loves. Great for lunch brunch or din and have great drinks! Full bar but I love saki and they have plenty of choices! I take me kids for lunch or have date day or night often!

Review №50

2023-04-27 19:18:17

Our table of five enjoyed our who experience at Banbu Sushi. We sat outside on the comfortable patio. Our server was helpful. No issues. We tried a variety of items and even our most picky family member enjoyed her meal. The drinks were interesting and a decent value. And the rolls were all good. We are not too adventurous with our sushi, so the standard like California rolls were all very much enjoyed. We would return without hesitation to Banbu Sushi.

Review №51

2023-06-27 17:22:50

This place is horribly over priced. The sushi is good, but not at these prices.The atmosphere is nice, but not at these prices.Service was really slow for how many people were eating lunch.We were bummed because we have a relative in the area and would come here often if it was more affordable.

Review №52

2022-09-23 04:17:56

-1 Five front staff didn’t notice or acknowledge me when I walked in.-1 Trash on the ground. That’s your first impression?+1 The sake with lights and crushed ice is so cool.+1 good food.+1 nice server.

Review №53

2023-03-22 03:54:05

We loved it, well served food and drinks. All I always look for in a restaurant and the most important, Customer Service! And this one has it all. 👌🏼👌🏼👍🏼

Review №54

2022-06-23 20:52:26

Extremely lovely service with beautiful outside seating that represents the establishment very well. Clean indoor and outdoor with a lively atmosphere and attentive staff. Appetizers garlic edamame and gyoza were hot and very delicious (not pictured). The sushi was top notch, presentation, plating and overall temperature of the fish was unlike none other. Pictured rolls are green helix (left) The ultimate hamachi roll (middle) and Inferno roll (right). Would definitely recommend this place to many.P.S. The strawberry mango sake is great!

Review №55

2018-06-24 21:18:01

It was good, we took our family here for mothers day. Food was delicious but the service was a tad on the slow side(we received one of our orders 30 minutes after we had finished the rest of our meal).

Review №56

2023-03-17 13:45:10

Wow I was impressed by all the sushi roll options and drinks, I started with a pomegranate martini & ordered a dragon roll & enjoyed a cucumber cooler to end the night 100% satisfied delicious!

Review №57

2022-03-05 05:07:32

Absolutely fantastic. We had calamari, poke salad, and the Green Helix roll. Outstanding.

Review №58

2019-02-18 14:07:01

Chef-inspired menu with unique flavors, sake-based cocktails and great execution. Huge menu, so explore it ahead of time.Deducting a star due to cost: a full page of specialty rolls were priced @ $20-25, which is too expensive for La Mesa.Definitely worth a visit for a special occasion though!!

Review №59

2023-08-03 17:29:39

Food was extremely bland, waitress rude and didnt ask if we needed anything while there. Everyone that arrived after us (aproxx 10, 20 mins) were receiving their food before us. We had to ask another staff member if he could check on our food.

Review №60

2023-02-22 02:25:01

A friend and I met up to have lunch. We were going to catch up and celebrate my Birthday.We both enjoyed our sushi dishes which were beautifully presented to us. After we finished our meal the waitress brought out a birthday dessert which was fried banana split with whipped cream and ice cream.We didn’t ask but it was obvious it was my birthday by the big Happy Birthday gift bag at the table.Thanks to the waitress for the pleasant surprise and great service. Definitely recommend.

Review №61

2019-05-12 03:20:34

Banbu Sushi never dissapoints me. Staff is always friendly, and the food is delicious. I love the Happy Hour Menu. A few of my favorites are the Baked Dynamite and the Crunchy Role. The Poke Crisp Role is a meal all on its own.

Review №62

2023-08-12 01:10:41

Enjoy the sushi every time. Highly recommend it

Review №63

2023-11-03 17:57:00

The food was delicious. Jade was the best waitress! She was so sweet and helpful:)

Review №64

2023-06-03 21:55:24

It’s was a nice ambiente place to take out family and friends. I would recommend coming with abundant of time for socializing and enjoying each meal. Server go in rotation so sometimes might wait a bit for food and refills.

Review №65

2022-06-26 06:21:37

Great vibe at the sushi bar! delicious food but pretty pricey

Review №66

2021-11-19 02:27:41

Very nice ambience. Good food. Very friendly and professional servers. My wife and I had a great time. We enjoyed the food and the service.

Review №67

2018-04-07 01:10:09

This place is seriously the best sushi in San Diego. Hands down the best flavor, freshness, and service. Dont be fooled by any other sushi spot in San Diego, go here. This is where the locals go, thats how you know its good.

Review №68

2020-10-10 21:50:53

Delicious, it is pricey but you pay for quality. The Banbu, eel role and jalapeno poppers were so good as well as the Chocolate Cake!!! Thank you Hayley for the amazing and quick service!

Review №69

2023-11-23 04:19:09

Good food and vegan options but not kid-friendly so avoid if you have kids.

Review №70

2023-11-10 03:05:27

2 hours to eat, table next to us was super annoying and they sat down 20 min after our party and got their food faster .. last time I go here

Review №71

2022-11-14 00:58:37

Amazing sushi with an wide selection of very high-quality fish. Vegan options as well.

Review №72

2021-05-31 04:04:54

A little pricey, but nice for special occasions. The fish tastes fresh and the rolls are amazing. Very nice experience.

Review №73

2021-04-07 05:07:03

Best server ever! He always goes above and beyond for us even when my fiancé drinks five glasses of water each visit he never lets her glass go empty. We always make sure to ask to sit with him. Hes also is very informative about each sushi roll, Thanks Jorge!

Review №74

2021-05-05 02:33:41

Great patio dining on a perfect evening. The tempura was outstanding! Great service, too!

Review №75

2023-02-16 21:16:56

Went there on Sunday night. Arrived at 730, the Google hours say open till 9pm. When we were sat, the host never mentioned that the kitchen was closing early. Sat without a greet or water for 5 minutes. When our server arrived, she mentioned they were doing last call for food and drinks. 8pm. I ordered all our food and drink at once. It was dropped at the table, with periodic check-ins by the server. The experience felt rushed. Everyone was ready to go, including us. Takeout would have been better. The food is good, but that wasnt service. Replace the wait staff with an IPad to order food and drinks, and youll save your business money.

Review №76

2022-08-24 00:01:52

This place always has super fresh fish great sake selection been going here for years one of my favorite Sushi places in San Diego.

Review №77

2023-07-15 00:40:14

Great sushi, atmosphere, and service. It was pretty expensive for lunch but sometimes you get what you pay for.

Review №78

2023-08-19 19:39:06

My wife and I celebrated our 42 anniversary there. It was a great restaurant experience.

Review №79

2023-01-08 09:47:37

The food was alright. Although for the price, we expected better. We paid nearly $150 for 4 rolls and 1 appetizer.. our waiter wasnt very attentive either. Also, they are extremely slow. We sat down at 6, ordered our food and they finally brought it to us by 7:05. Asked for Sriracha and got eel sauce instead. Asked for the bill and our waiter brought it 20 minutes later. Overall wouldnt recommend and wouldnt come back.

Review №80

2023-02-21 07:13:43

I’ve had this place on my list for a while now and I finally got to try it last weekend. The staff was very friendly and attentive. I had wine and I tried some potstickers as an appetizer. What was really surprising is the sushi rolls, they weren’t as good as I expected but I’m willing to give this place another shot. Its a beautiful restaurant and I bet the view is even better in the summertime.

Review №81

2023-07-06 01:11:34

I wish all Bamboos had the lemon cilantro roll. A new Bamboo opened next to me in Oregon, but no lemon roll. That was my go-to when I lived in SD!

Review №82

2022-06-19 17:16:53

My third time at this place. They have very nice rolls and other options. Last night I tried Cherry blossom, it was simply delicious.

Review №83

2020-02-25 08:17:33

One of a kind very good ambience! Service excellent! The food we ordered was amazing!

Review №84

2019-03-08 15:57:54

Very creative sushi. I really liked the Poke Crisp, which is basically a California roll covered in poke. Prices are a little high, but the happy hour menu is extensive and a much better deal.

Review №85

2023-05-17 10:45:10

Basically, I had the worse food poisoning from this place. Ended up in ER. Thats how bad the quality was. Great service and atmosphere though, just dont waste your money or health at this place.

Review №86

2018-06-23 10:13:50

Foods good, but for the price Id go elsewhere

Review №87

2021-04-29 03:22:44

I love, love, love this place!! Never disappoints. Food is consistently the best. Great staff. ❤ Celebrated a friends 50th birthday, and she was impressed. We will be back. 😋🥰

Review №88

2023-01-10 17:50:36

The hostess was quite obviously annoyed with us because we didnt like the table she gave us ( between the entrance and restroom).Our waiter was very nice, but I did not remember his name, unfortunately. The sushi is alright, in my opinion, nothing to write home about, and not priced to match the quality of the food. I am not sure if I will return here.

Review №89

2017-11-11 06:47:09

Always love going to Banbu. Best Sushi in East County and the best happy hour specials in San Diego!

Review №90

2023-09-15 04:27:31

Great food, great service, great atmosphere...it is a little pricey though...

Review №91

2023-09-27 13:52:33

Victor is the man!I don’t order from the menu, just sit in front of him and he feeds me all the best things!

Review №92

2023-01-08 21:02:11

Ive been to quite of few sushi spots and I probably go back to all of them expect this one. This place is trying to be something its not. Its terribly overpriced for mediocre sushi. We ordered a few rolls and a draft beer.Sushi was well presented but tasted underwhelming for the price. The menu is also overly complicated and what seemed like repeated rolls. We had to disect all the ingredients to see what was different from the other rolls since they are almost identical.Wouldnt come back.

Review №93

2022-06-24 12:38:40

Visited this restaurant several times and have enjoyed it each time. Service is great - our servers have been Ouis and Miriam - both friendly, attentive and helpful! The Brussel spouts are delicious - shareable ( possibly a little sesame oil in prep. We jumped into several types of sushi and all have been very good, presented well. We treated ourselves to lava cake this time and -> oh my gosh! Amazing!! Served with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and raspberry drizzle. Yes, we will be back! PS The patio dining is perfect!

Review №94

2022-07-28 02:03:11

Awesome restaurant with delicious food and a great vibe. The patio is perfectly shaded in the afternoon with a nice breeze to beat the heat and enjoy a meal outside. Or server (M.J.) was attentive, kind, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. Overall it was a great experience and well definitely be eating here again.

Review №95

2022-02-12 04:40:23

Wonderful service and delicious food. Expensive but the quality is worth it. Great atmosphere

Review №96

2022-05-15 08:23:37

Fantastic sushi, entrees, and drinks. Decor was also very nice. All around great experience.

Review №97

2022-06-29 19:19:34

I think best on in Southern Cali, sushi sashimi, cocktails . 5 star for this place I’m always there for good staff.

Review №98

2023-06-14 04:07:07

Sushi Rolls were bland. We ordered Lemon Cilantro Roll and Banbu Roll. They lacked flavor.

Review №99

2022-10-09 23:21:48

For nearly $30 a roll I am quite disappointed that I had to wait an hour for uncooked sushi rolls. Our server Jocelyn kept forgetting about us so we ordered edamame and two rolls when she finally made it to our table. She clearly forgot to put our order in but tried to blame it on the kitchen. Instead of apologizing she seemed annoyed that she had customers. The food is good but it’s also good at many other places where a roll comes out in 20 minutes.

Review №100

2023-03-25 00:54:56

My husband and I have been going for years! Sushi is very good . We used to go every or every other weekend and for a long time they had a fun happy hour menu but they stoped that and prices went up up up up now we go maybe once every two months disappointed almost 30 a roll is getting a little to high!

Review №101

2022-02-13 04:01:30

Theres a beautiful fire pit outside with comfy seating. We asked if we could sit there and have a cocktail while we waited for our table. The hostess said yes and brought us a cocktail menu. 10 minutes later no one came to get our order and there must have been 5 waiters/waitresses that looked at us and walked past us and it was if we were in no-mans-land! It was likes, Youre not me customer so I dont care. So we were seated at our table and service was good, however the food didnt WOW me. Average sushi, above average atmosphere, but overpriced. There are a bazillion sushi restaurants in this part of the world where I can get great sushi, great service, and great atmosphere and not have to pay those prices. Oh yeah... and parking was hard to find. Meh.

Review №102

2022-12-04 09:40:35

Went here on 12/3/22, right after they opened and it was great.Since they just opened, obviously not a lot of people.They share the parking lot but there was overflow parking across the street which was less than 5 minutes away depending where in the garage you parked. I loved that they thought of this and it is next to the trolley station.For shareables: we ordered i think wontons, jalapeño poppers, nori fries, & fire cracker shrimp.Everything was piping hot & delicious. I love that went you bit into the fire cracker shrimp, you could actually see a shrimp inside! And it was whole. The dips accompanied with these apps were great! And the greenery was raw, shredded cabbage which i ate with the sweet chili sauce they paired with the wontons. The fire cracker shrimp had a spicy mayo dip that was delicious and they should probably sell these 2 in stores.Rolls: ceviche roll, Philadelphia roll, cherry blossom roll, langostino roll, & green helix were ordered. Philly was okay. Ceviche was great. Langostino was so savory. Cherry blossom & green helix were great. For the green helix there are fried sweet potato and fried green onions on top which gives it a nice texture difference.Drinks: we ordered the strawberry mango and mango sake. Strawberry mango sake was fantastic. But the mango sake didnt taste like mango to me. You probably will need to order 2 if you like to drink but i think 1 bottle gives you about 4-5 shots. The glass bottle itself is super cool and has a hole in it to hold ice. So it keeps the liquid cold but since its not in direct contact with the liquid, the liquid doesnt get watered down.If this place was closer, i would go here often. If you are not a good eater, i suggest sticking to 1 app and 1 roll. I was already full before the sushi came but i pushed through. Make sure you save $40 from 4 paychecks because most items were $14+. It is pricey, but worth it!

Review №103

2023-03-31 02:32:43

Beautiful but way over priced. Gaslamp / LA /NY pricing next to bums at the trolley stop. Dont order cocktail 80% ice.

Review №104

2022-03-30 22:14:51

Absolutely delicious!!! Staff is also very very nice.Inferno roll

Review №105

2020-09-01 22:24:35

Nice local place, glad they are open. They seem to be doing outdoor dining very safely for Covid.

Review №106

2022-11-05 02:07:20

My family have been coming here for years. The food is always delicious and the drinks are always made well. We now know most if the staff and they greet us when we go. Great place

Review №107

2021-11-30 07:46:23

Sushi here is just ok, compare to other sushi places, its a little overpriced.The service is good though

Review №108

2018-12-03 06:58:25

Top Quality Sushi, very fresh, taste, texture, smell was very on point! I would recommend checking this place out, but be prepared to fork over some dough because it was an expensive lunch for 2 people

Review №109

2019-05-12 17:45:49

Great hideaway spot. Happy hour is the way to go with lots of choices on rolls and beers. Highly recommend if youre in the La Mesa area.

Review №110

2022-08-18 15:14:51

Very delicious rolls. This is the Ultimate roll. It was recommended by the server and it was great!

Review №111

2019-12-27 22:59:07

The wait was way too long for mediocre sushi. There were not many people here, so I do not understand why the wait for the food was so long. The food here is way overpriced. I ordered three simple rolls and paid more here than I would anywhere else.

Review №112

2022-09-15 18:46:21

Went in to do a small dinner for my daughter the service was great! when it came down to bringing in a desert with a candle normally a couple people come and sing happy birthday! Our waitress refused and said she wasnt going to do so and she said HBD and walked away .. kinda bummed but

Review №113

2022-04-09 02:28:01

I went with one of my best girlfriends. Overall the dishes and the drinks had a beautiful presentation the taste was not bad but they were very over priced. She ordered the poke crunch roll and I got the Banbu roll. Her sushi was really good it was a very big portion so that was nice. But mine was just ok the roll came with salmon but when I got the roll it had very little salmon it in. I personally would not recommend this roll. We both ordered drinks she got the cucumber cooler and I got the lychee martini the drinks were great the bartender definitely knew what they were doing.

Review №114

2023-02-01 04:43:03

What a great find! A friend told me about this place. And I enjoyed it so much that I went back two days in a row!Excellent service, great food, amazingly fresh.1/30/23 update.. food is still excellent, but the prices are out of control cheapest sushi roll on the menu is $18. Each one of the rolls I ordered was $29. I think it might be the most expensive Sushi Ive ever ordered. Im not sure the area supports that outrageous pricing. But that being said, if youre not afraid to spend the money, a great environment, tasty food

Review №115

2021-09-07 05:01:34

The BEST sushi! Love the Kobe steak fries, so good

Review №116

2022-03-21 01:11:48

Love this place, can be pricey, but worth the price. Food and sushi are delicious and their adult drink menu is pretty good and the ones Ive personally tried are tasty. Love how beautiful the presentation are on everything, the vibe is great, all the staff are friendly and resourceful.

Review №117

2022-02-04 15:59:21

Fantastic service, fresh rolls as always! Every roll packs an amazing flavor punch! Cannot recommend the Rose roll enough!! Only bit of advice is be prepared to spend approximately $20 per roll, but the quality is reflected in the price and ambiance.

Review №118

2023-03-31 18:53:20

I been to this restaurant 7 years ago and decided to give it another try hoping that this place got better. I think people who come to this restaurant come for an ambiance but food is so bland not sure why people come back. Will not be visiting this place again.

Review №119

2021-11-11 22:46:00

This was my first time eating here but everything was really amazing! My husband and I came here for lunch, he really wanted some ramen and sushi and both were super good, we appreciate the cooks in the back the food was delicious! We both served time overseas (both navy) in Japan and your style and food was just like the food we had there. Our server Julia was so sweet and even gave us her recommendations. She took great care of us and we also appreciate the hostess in the front she was great getting us our table and just being really friendly and helpful :) amazing staff overall and superb cooks! We’re not even from San Diego but we will definitely revisit!

Review №120

2022-05-25 22:19:12

Not being exposed to sushi regularly I was very hesitant on our lunch date with friends. All I can say is WOW! Everything we tried was amazing. While it was pricy as noted by others in my opinion well worth it. Menu is able to capture all taste in some fashion. Highly recommended!

Review №121

2022-05-22 02:32:16

Very good sushi place, handled very professionally. They know what they are doing!

Review №122

2021-11-25 04:15:42

My favorite sushi in east county for sure. Great appetizers as well!! I especially like their shrimp tempura, lemon cilantro roll, and miso soup. Although pretty expensive, good quality definitely has a price and you get what you pay for. All ingredients taste fresh and you feel healthy after eating. I definitely will be returning often when I’m looking for good sushi in east county!!

Review №123

2019-12-05 14:44:45

Very clean and sleek look to this restaurant. The service is prompt and friendly. I loved the poke appetizer! I would definitely eat that as a meal for myself. Everything tasted fresh and the presentation of each dish is beautiful. The only problem here is that they are way overpriced. The sushi rolls are priced around $20 and I think thats outrageous for something stuffed with imitation crab. The vibe here seems casual but their prices scream fine dining, being that youll spend $50+ per person (if you like to order more than one roll). Even the lunch special that I order for my daughter was $16. After getting over the prices, I did enjoy my meal and everything was really good.

Review №124

2021-06-08 17:54:14

Wow talk about a big menu, great selection, fresh seafood, incredible sushi 🍣 . Try the lamb chops on the appetizer menu, incredible and delicious 😋. Our server was excellent. Fast, friendly and informative. Truly great food. Beautiful patio! The best sushi in La Mesa area. We were seated right away. They also have a great happy hour! Loved the caterpillar and rainbow rolls. Fresh spicy scallop hand roll was awesome!!!!

Review №125

2022-09-03 03:11:06

The first time in. Extensive selection of sushi and other dishes. Come back for the Happy Hour.

Review №126

2022-09-18 05:22:19

Sushi is fresh but boring almost every roll is tempura shrimp with something else or spicy crab with something. Hamachi nigiri fresh and delicious (its just fish on rice so 🤷‍♂️) Used to be delicious but now its just over priced and boring. I kept reading the menu looking for something interesting but it was the least imaginative sushi bar Ive been to in a long time, my cat is going to be happy at least. For $132 I expected much more. It was very blah, nothing special here, wont be going back.

Review №127

2019-01-20 03:24:34

The food and service were excellent, however their prices are a little expensive even during happy hour.

Review №128

2023-10-03 03:24:37

Delicious food, but way overpriced.

Review №129

2021-12-02 03:39:03

The food here is delicious and there are kids menus however I feel like this is more of a date spot then a quick bite with a toddler spot. In addition, the food is pricy but you do get a good portion. My favorite roll the rainbow roll was $20+ where as other sushi places the same roll cost $8- $13.

Review №130

2022-06-27 23:53:21

I want to be clear when it came to the service and the food here, I had no issues or negative things to note. The only reason for this rating is due to the clearly disproportionate pricing at this restaurant for the type of food and quality. Their rolls are $20+ each, as a matter of fact ALL of their entrees were $20+ each. When it comes to rolls and ramen specifically, because thats what we ordered, I promise you that it is no more of quality and taste than any good sushi place or ramen place in SD whose prices are literally almost half that of Banbu. It is not worth the bump in price, it simply isnt. If you want good sushi or ramen, do not go here unless you like wasting $10-15 per roll or ramen bowl for no added benefit.

Review №131

2023-05-20 21:19:44

The service was amazingly attentive, the atmosphere is very nice and the rose rolls are to die for. Will be looking to come back again soon!

Review №132

2020-10-05 04:26:07

Ok place has great customer service. Took a while to get our food.

Review №133

2023-02-01 23:06:52

Food was excellent!!Waitress was NØ AS EXPECTED HORRIBLE SERVICE . when we ask for something like a Fork,water, or Napkins took her a long time to get to us, at the end I had to ask someone alse to please help us out, which they did, but waitres wass not seen . Our thoughts were she is either helping on the back of the kitchen or talking to someone .. lol .. because it took a long time for her to get out of the back of the kitchen ..We wanted to order more sushi & and drinks, but we just decided to call it a night .👉Whats Worse it was NOT EVEN BUSY 😕 ! TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION..DINNER WAS OKAY..We would of love to seat out side but to cold .. nice outdoor fire 🔥Looking forward for next Time -Hopefully I can UPDATE !!

Review №134

2019-07-11 19:07:06

It was delicious! I ordered a bottle of saki, ramen, and some sushi rolls. Also, you need to read the saki list. It is amusing. Instead of describing the wine it...well. Just read it.

Review №135

2019-06-24 04:43:11

Love this sushi place, my favorite of all. Their service is awesome and their food is delicious

Review №136

2022-12-21 22:26:28

Great local sushi restaurant. Our go to last minute, for sushi needs. Wait staff always takes care of us really well. Food is definitely fresh.

Review №137

2019-09-29 03:01:27

Amazing as always!!! GREAT service and the Royal Helix Roll did not disappoint🤩

Review №138

2022-10-19 23:54:17

Very good food service too

Review №139

2022-05-29 03:21:39

Unfortunately I had a bad experience. We were trying a new place and we were hoping to find a restaurant to continue to go to. I was seated quickly, but did not get a waiter to offer anything. After 10 minutes we got up and left. Since Google has the lowest score of 1, they get a 1, but should be below zero.

Review №140

2022-03-17 02:17:47

Overpriced sushi with the worst stress cased waitress to tend to the customers!My guest only asked for your suggestions - Not have you point out the suggestions on the menu & order the dishes without our knowledge!Then have a temper tantrum when we asked to cancel the coconut shrimp order.Then bring out the bill to $160 for two people 🙄

Review №141

2022-05-09 14:46:09

The best quality sushi comes with a price im willing to pay. The price? Bad location...very limited parking and not a great view... they do a lot to make it a garden atmosphere outside, and when traffic isnt busy on Fletcher Pkwy, it is lovely. Even when busy, I still love the sushi... O...M...G!!

Review №142

2019-03-26 07:18:37

The quality of the food here is amazing - they take great care in prepping all of their ingredients to a specific standard under the eyes of great head cooks and chefs.The portions and the flavors more than make up for the prices, which is the one complaint about this place Ive heard the most.Customer service is also placed at a high priority, and reviews of experiences that would say otherwise are outliers, at best.The people here are incredibly hard workers, and very friendly. Pair this with great food (the Banbu Spicy Chicken and the Inferno Roll are my personal favorites), and you are in for a wonderful experience.

Review №143

2023-10-21 06:45:22

Slightly pricey, but good none-the-less.

Review №144

2022-08-21 21:28:28

Been going to this place for years always been good. But today was terrible cold and nasty kobe roll. Called to let them know about my experience an they hung up on me. Pretty sad to be paying top dollar an receiving poor quality.

Review №145

2017-03-14 01:30:38

Service is good but a little bit slow, food is ok

Review №146

2022-05-12 13:39:09

Well I guess the best thing I can say about this very overpriced restaurant is that our waitress was good. So I ordered the surf and turf. So expensive and sooooo bad. The steak was ok but the lobster well they just murdered it. What a waste of a lobster. It comes with this sauce on it and it tasted just like the shrimp I had as an appetizer . The shrimp was less expensive maybe I just should of ordered that instead of the lobster. It would have saved me alot of money

Review №147

2020-02-25 18:28:46

Waitress Shannon is amazing, the place is clean, the food was good. Overall great! However their happy hour specials are not happy hour at all they are regular priced sushi. Try the yellow tail Kama 3 rolls and some drinks and Kama $72!!!

Review №148

2021-11-02 07:56:51

Staff was incredibly nice from the second we walked in and our server was amazing as well. Our food was good but I was surprised to see that the total of myself and my friend was $120 seeing that we didn’t get that much stuff. Food is pricey here so don’t go unless you’re looking to spend.

Review №149

2023-12-10 05:31:53

Food was great & sake was amazing !!!

Review №150

2022-03-13 18:38:54

Delicious and beautiful sushi rolls. The spicy chicken entree was unbelievably tasty; it was very airy and light fry on the chicken with a yummy spicy sauce. Drinks were great, and service was quick and friendly!

Review №151

2022-04-16 03:24:09

First time here since the pandemic. Our server Nia was amazing. I have to time my eating and insulin and asked Nia to give an approximate time for the appetizers. She went and asked and gave me a best guess time to take care of my shot. The appetizers showed up as my timer went off. She provided us with the best service weve had in years. Constantly checking in on us. BTW the food was really good too. All servers could learn from Nia.

Review №152

2021-06-08 16:50:04

Very nice outdoor seating area and the service is great. The sushi rolls, however, were very disappointing. You could not taste the fish in any of the rolls I had, the other flavors were so overpowering. I didnt have the ramen, but it looked fantastic, maybe Ill be back to try that.

Review №153

2022-05-02 15:43:49

Yellow tail and albacore nigiri, Chefs choice sashimi., melrose and samurai roll. These are the items order during my visit. Everything was great, good presentation, food to the table timing, customer service. Like most reviews, yes it is a bit pricy. It is worth it, though. Atmosphere, is very relaxed. Not loud even while we sat inside. Big plus, that Kirin (tap or bottle) is available.

Review №154

2021-07-05 23:45:05

I called in my order. The lady was polite and nice. I was never given a timeframe on when the order would be ready, but she said she would call me when the order would be ready. I was expecting a 30min-40min wait. Not 1hr & 40min wait for a place that isnt very busy. I did miss the phone call for when the food was ready but if I had of been able to answer, I would have cancelled the order.My girlfriend made us delicious grilled cheese sandwiches💪🏿💯🤤🤤🤤Place looks and feels legit, Ill try again some other time.

Review №155

2022-04-23 07:15:56

Im going to agree with everyone saying its overrated and overpriced for what it is. Dont mind paying for good sushi, but this is pretty average honestly and youre paying for the ambiance, nothing more really. Long wait for food, which is understandable due to them being busy, but overall, the sushi is average, and overrated, hence the 3 stars.

Review №156

2019-05-13 21:06:11

We love Banbu Sushi! My husband and I enjoy everything about this incredible place! The atmosphere is inviting and comfortable. The restaurant is clean and pleasant. The service is phenomenal and the food is exceptional! We will continue to enjoy our date days there and will always recommend it. We were planning on going in for Mothers day and we were both tired from a long day of work. We order food togo instead and it was just as amazing as having it there! Thanks Banbu for all you do!

Review №157

2022-05-02 00:35:06

Atmosphere is nice and food was ok. Customer service was good. Its pricey but some portions are big. Definitely come check it out for yourself.

Review №158

2023-01-17 02:19:53

First time here. Jorge was an amazing server! Made my experience wonderful, Definitely will be back.

Review №159

2022-05-28 22:24:17

Excellent place to dine inside or outside in the patio. Atmosphere is great, and our waiter, Brandon was great! He deserves a 5 star rating.

Review №160

2023-10-07 17:50:52

Expensive but the best sushi Ive had

Review №161

2019-09-20 05:53:40

Great sushi place drinks are tasteful

Review №162

2022-11-05 06:15:10

Very great food. Service was also great as well as the atmosphere. Beautiful outside seating with heaters for the cold weather.

Review №163

2021-07-20 19:11:36

One of my favorite restaurants, long time regular ever since it opened.As soon as we arrived, we were seated, and had our drink order taken, with drinks at our table in less than 2 minutes after arrival.Our server was very polite, had us served with our food in what I would call record time for how busy they are, and was on top of refills of our drinks. She kept up with us and our requests like a champ.The sushi itself, excellent as always. Im a huge fan of the Seared Jalapeno Ahi roll, and the Ultimate Hamachi roll, while my fiance got the Afterburner and Banbu rolls. We also shared an order of the Crunchy Jalapeno Hamachi Bites. And it was all to perfection.Price is, as expected from Banbu, on the higher side, but worth it if you want some good quality sushi. Especially in East County.While there are certainly better sushi places throughout San Diego county, its definitely the best in East County. Probably in my top 3 for all of San Diego county.

Review №164

2019-04-24 18:58:44

Lots of yummy and interesting roles. Expensive but good. Nice saki selection too

Review №165

2022-02-28 15:56:39

The food here is good but it is extremely overpriced. Their service is beyond slow. Ive eaten here twice and each time it has taken at least 45 minutes to recieved my food from the time Ive ordered till I recieved my food. Both times I visted during off peak times. There are many other places in the area with food as good with better pricing and quicker service.

Review №166

2020-10-14 23:52:32

Flew in to visit my son who is stationed in San Diego. Banbu Dushi Bar & Grill was superb! The staff was extremely friendly and made us feel welcomed and appreciated. The sushi was spectacular and the Sake was amazingly tasty! It was my first time having Sake. Great place, excellent atmosphere.

Review №167

2019-12-28 07:23:03

Quick summary: this is a fancier sushi place thats nicer than the normal shopping center staple. It’s about the same quality of food but just a nicer presentation and a heftier price tag.Overall, the food was good, but expensive. And we waited about 45 minutes for our food to arrive. The pair that was seated right before us was done eating by the time we got our food (we were 3 people who order sashimi and 3 rolls ... not an obscene amount!). I recommend the place but know that you’ll spend more money and maybe wait a little longer too.

Review №168

2021-09-14 16:20:20

The service was terrible. We sat down at 1:34pm. The server came and got our drink order. Then she brought back our drinks and took our appetizer order. About 30 mins later we finally got the edamame. Then about 20 minutes after that came the firecracker shrimp, which was barely warm. She continually visited the tables around us and would only stop by our table to plop down another lemonade. We finally caught her while she visited the table next to us to give them their food. Which, by the way, they had firecracker shrimp and when she sat the plate down it was piping hot. We placed our order. Then at around 2:50pm we asked about our food and she turned to the counter and said Im looking at it right there. We had seen the food sitting there for at least 5 mins. She finally brought our entrees. She asked if we needed anything and I asked for extra eel sauces. She said ok and then walked to another table. So I sat and waited for 5 mins, not eating. Finally my friend walked up to a sushi chef and asked for some eel sauce which he gave out right away. Then about 5 mins after that the server comes and gives the eel sauce to my friend who didnt ask for it. She brought the check and we had been there for two hours by this point and were just ready to go. I walked it up to the front so they could expedite our exit.The food was excellent when we finally got it.

Review №169

2023-06-20 18:21:50

Incredible sushi. Glad I was able to make it here before moving to Texas.

Review №170

2022-09-05 22:15:00

I would rate a 0 stars but there isn’t an option. I went there for my birthday and I left because my order took over an hour and it was still not ready so I had to leave. Very poor customer service. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone, unless you go there for a cup of water.

Review №171

2017-06-03 22:45:56

While our server was nice we didnt get greeted by her until we had been sitting for 15 mins. The food was way over priced but looked nice. The quality of the seafood could have been a little fresher. I had to ask the server about the specials, if I hadnt done so then I wouldnt have known. We pretty much paid for the presentation of the food. Over all it was ok a girlfriend and I went there after the gym for convenience, but I would have def taken the drive and gone to a better place.

Review №172

2023-02-13 05:51:41

My fav sushi place ever!! i feel like i can’t eat sushi from any place other than here. i wish it was more affordable but it’s absolutely worth it. it’s never lacking anything and i love the service here too! all the people i’ve interacted with have been sweet + every time i try anything new it turns out amazing ^•^ (i recommend the crunchy jalapeño hamachi bites, canadian roll, and cobe style beef roll)

Review №173

2021-07-16 19:04:18

Our new favorite sushi in SD. Dining in is the best experience, but carry out is just as good. Both are phenomenal. Try the super crunchy, rose, or the ultimate hamachi roll for a real treat. They are our favorite.

Review №174

2020-03-07 18:44:41

Nice place ...little $ but quality! They have a large outdoor seating with heaters makes it fun. The place used to be a movie theatre!! Their sushi rolls are fantastic..big menu. Check out the happy hour deals too.😁

Review №175

2022-12-28 18:40:06

Always good food and fun atmosphere. Ordering in is great while ordering to go can can get allot better.

Review №176

2020-06-15 00:54:16

Well.. my wife and I waited for over an hour and fifteen minutes before getting our main course. Before that... i asked the waiter why are other customers getting their sushi first. He calmly explained. And no later then 30 seconds they get their main course. And to boot it was our food they gave them. Then they wanted full price. I got 20 dollars off a 73.00 bill. Not worth the head ache that went with it. Food eh.

Review №177

2021-05-12 19:25:58

Wow, was this a great experience, yes. I was out in La Mesa with my daughter and she suggested we go here to eat. Nice cozy resturant and patio. We sat on patio they have a huge selection on their menu it could take an hour to look thru and decide if you havent been here before. The food and sushi was great and pricey but good. Tucked away in the back of the building. Fire torches outside and couches round a fire pit. Wow, talking about cozy. Family are dates its all good. Oh yeah, great service too. Bam!

Review №178

2023-01-31 00:48:17

Awesome place, food is great. I would definitely come back. Will say it pricey

Review №179

2022-08-29 20:10:46

We have always injoyed eating here until last night we were cut off after only 2 drinks on our 29 anniversary the table next to us complained that we were being to loud, the food is over priced and the waitress was rude so we won’t be going back. $200.00 bill for four

Review №180

2021-08-07 16:34:45

The sushi was good but a 45-50 minute wait after already being seated on a Friday evening. And the Filet mignon was not cooked to order, in fact it was the driest and worst filet mignon that Ive had in my 64 years. Which is why I wont go back...

Review №181

2021-08-09 16:29:09

We were on our way home from Little Tokyo, Los Angeles and decided to meet friends for dinner at this fun-looking restaurant. The food was disappointing, especially at its price range. Appetizers and entrees werent worth their price, and just werent done well. My yakisoba was basically angel hair pasta with massive amounts of cubed chicken and one tiny piece of cabbage; very disappointing and not filling at all. I ordered a salmon nigiri, and was grateful it was fresh because it was such a poor cut of the fish that I was really only ok, not great. Three stars because the sushi was fresh, the staff was polite and helpful, and the place had a fun atmosphere. I dont picture myself returning.

Review №182

2020-12-23 16:45:01

Always great food! A bit out of the way for me, but worth the drive. They currently only have to go orders, as all dining is closed due to state lock down for Covid. The staff taking orders are friendly and helpful, still offering water while we wait outside for our order.

Review №183

2019-12-05 13:14:06

Have been coming here on and off for a few years..let me tell ya- the quality of the sushi is Not that great/neither is the taste. It is waay overpriced and prices have kept going up throughout the years. Last time I came, which was Halloween night i was very disappointed. I know the sushi isnt the heat here but decided to come as we were in the area. We were already knowing it was going to he pricey but were astonished to see how much they had jacked up the prices! Rolls averaged 15-20s even for a simple crunchy roll. Once again, sushi was just ok.What makes this place is really just the ambiance. Other than that, you can get way better sushi elsewhere. Wont be coming again.

Review №184

2022-09-03 02:34:33

Awesome sushi restaurant!Will definitely go there again.A bit loud (acoustically) indoors, but has an incredible outdoor dining area.

Review №185

2019-07-06 05:03:05

Solid food and quality service. I had the pleasure of eating here last night with my brother in law. Big promotion at work. Tried the Banbu Roll and I think it was The Hawaiian Roll. Both perfectly prepared, presentation was great. I was with my 3 kids and wife, after our discussion on “did they like their dinner”, all agreed we would be back. The operators here know how to run a great business. I will definitely return and recommend to my friends and family.07/05 Bam, We got hooked up tonight, they have some of the best servers in town, Tiffany T. hooked us up with great service tonight, very nice an pleasant the entire night. Banbu Special and Banbu Roll hit the spot, friends tried tangerine chicken bowl and philly roll, after burner roll, super yummy. Definitely recommend you give this place a try if you are ready for one of the best dinners ever!!

Review №186

2021-10-15 20:21:08

Whoa! Always an incredible experience and the absolute freshest food everytime we come. Prices may be a little high, but once you experience the quality youll know why. So good!

Review №187

2018-08-22 14:42:12

Saddle up to the bar and ask for Randy. Hes incredible. In fact all the servers and bartenders are exceptional. Even the hostesses! The food is fresh and visually appealing. Cocktails are on point! They also have an outdoor fire pit for lounging!

Review №188

2020-11-25 17:44:09

Service was a little slow, but I think it was due to lack of staff.Im sure its difficult to keep staff levels up during covid.Sushi rolls were good. And the bartender/waitress poured a very generous glass of wine.

Review №189

2020-11-24 19:01:20

Sushi was great! The service could have been better. Not enough wasabi ginger or soy sauce. Slow on bringing it.. In her defence she was young. In my defence for only leaving a $37 tip on a $179 lunch. Pay attention to the little things. Happy 8th alcohol free Birthday, to my daughter! Im so proud.

Review №190

2022-09-30 07:36:56

Celebrated a birthday and did not disappoint!! Apart from the plates being visually beautiful, the staff was attentive and helped choose our dishes.

Review №191

2021-07-15 20:23:25

Terrible service, if you can actually get any. Have been either ignored when theres been few people, and have been hung up on when trying to make a take out order. Theyre the closest sushi place to me, and the food is decent, but the service is just bad.

Review №192

2021-09-14 15:45:00

Great fresh sushi top quality seafood and authentic Japanese food. Beautifully decorated, awesome outside patio. Our waitress Julia was fantastic,friendly, personable, efficient and knowledgeable.

Review №193

2016-10-29 20:24:37

Very nice and fancy place. The cost is pretty high but luckily I went for happy hour and the price for happy hour is more reasonable. The service was great and the atmosphere was very nice. The only reason I rated it four stars is because the food is tasty but not tasty enough to justify there larger price tag in my opinion. Happy hour is very good though

Review №194

2020-07-01 18:21:27

Great sushi, decent price, great atmosphere..

Review №195

2019-02-22 05:28:15

Bartender, hostess and servers were very polite. Prices were very expressive for the quality of the sushi. Lots of show for cheap fish and stale rice. There are plenty of places with better quality for a fraction of price. Not worth the $$$.

Review №196

2021-04-11 08:55:13

Five of us, 4 adults and a child celebrated a birthday there last night. The server, Jonathan, was on top of his game and anticipated our needs throughout the meal. The salmon skin salad, chicken udon, oyster shooters, lamb chop appetizers (with kimchee!) were all delightful. It is pricey on the weekends, try Tuesday for some discounted prices and great values. It has a full bar and a varied selection of beer and sake. This is the go-to place in La Mesa!

Review №197

2019-06-30 01:25:21

We love Banbu! We are regular customers who come in about once a week and have been customers since they opened.There are many seating options. Great menu with a wide variety of options for people who are not sushi or fish people. Family and kid friendly as well. Really yummy sushi rolls with lots of different options- our favs are the lemon cilantro roll, crunchy roll, protein roll, and Banbu roll. It’s our go-to for sushi in La Mesa!

Review №198

2018-08-13 20:52:27

Food was delicious, although a tad over priced. They have great sushi and traditional Asian (Japanese, chinesse) food. The bar makes excellent cocktails. Our waitress was very friendly but didnt seem to know much about the food, which was kind of frustrating for a first time visit.The outside patio was very nice. There is also a large outdoor waiting area with firepit and comfortable outdoor furniture.They have a fairly large happy hour menu with lots to choose from.

Review №199

2019-05-07 08:06:27

So excited this restaurant opened up! I went here with my parents (native Shanghainese people) and they verified the authenticity of the food (something that an ABC like me can only do 40% of the time). Especially loved the rice cakes with picked cabbage and shredded chicken and the braised pork. Will definitely be back for a taste of Wuxi food.