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Azai Hand Roll
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Azai Hand Roll
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Azai Hand Roll is a casual 3rd Street spot centered on customizable hand-roll sets, crispy rice, and sashimi at approachable prices. It’s ideal when you want a quick, build-your-own lineup of rolls with a bit more neighborhood personality than the bigger chains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, Hand Roll Set Menu, California Cut Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Hand-roll focused sushi with flexible set menus and takeout.
Who should go: Locals craving quick, affordable hand rolls and sashimi.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner for easiest counter seating.
What to order: Crispy rice spicy tuna, mixed hand-roll set, seaweed salad.
Insider tip: Use the multi-roll combos to sample several fillings efficiently.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along 3rd Street and the side streets; spots turn over fairly often but tighten after 6pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual. People roll in with jeans, hoodies, and gym-adjacent outfits without judgment.
Noise level: Moderate. You can hold a conversation, but the small room plus steady to-go traffic keeps a light buzz going.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during peak hours since it’s counter-style and moves quickly.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, with plenty of counter space available.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable: cucumber, avocado, and seaweed salad options.
Vegan options: Sparse—mostly basic veggie rolls and seaweed salad. No specialty vegan fillings.
Gluten-free options: Yes for most sashimi and some rolls; ask for GF soy sauce and avoid anything fried or sauced.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the date likes casual counter dining and quick pacing. It’s not romantic, but it works for low-pressure meetups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations here. Walk in, order, and grab any open counter spot. Turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Decent for older kids who like sushi or rolls; the fast-casual flow works well. Space is tight for strollers or very young kids.
Best For
Better for: Quick, customizable hand rolls at lower prices than many nearby sushi counters.
Skip if: You want a full-service experience, omakase pacing, or quieter, more atmospheric dining.
Azai Hand Roll
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Azai Hand Roll is a narrow 3rd Street counter focused on hand-roll sets, sashimi, and crispy rice with a slightly elevated feel. It works best as a focused sushi stop where you build a lineup of rolls and specials rather than settle in for a long dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, 24 Pieces Cut Rolls Menu, Lobster Cut Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Hand-roll focused sushi bar with flexible sets and crispy rice.
Who should go: Sushi fans wanting fast, focused hand rolls on 3rd Street.
When to visit: Lunch or early evening before the narrow counter fills.
What to order: Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, 24-piece cut-roll set, Lobster Cut Roll.
Insider tip: Sit at the counter so each hand roll arrives while the nori is still crisp.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered 3rd Street parking is the main option; expect competitive spots after 6pm and limited side-street availability.
Dress code: Casual but tidy; streetwear and jeans are common, though many diners lean slightly polished.
Noise level: Moderate; conversations are easy at the counter, with some bustle during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes depending on peak hand-roll rush; faster for solo diners.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, with counter seats turning over quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable—avocado, cucumber, and vegetable rolls are available.
Vegan options: Very limited; a couple of vegetable rolls and sides, but most sets are fish-focused.
Gluten-free options: Manageable—sashimi and many rolls can be adapted if you request gluten-free soy sauce and avoid sauces with wheat.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual dates where you want something quick, fresh, and interactive; the counter format keeps the vibe relaxed rather than formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only, and counter turnover is steady. Solo diners and pairs are seated fastest.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat; the narrow counter and fast pacing favor adults and older kids who already enjoy sushi.
Best For
Better for: Fast, crisp hand rolls with a slightly elevated edge—ideal when you want quality sushi without a long meal commitment.
Skip if: You want a full omakase, large-group seating, or a linger-for-hours dinner; the space is built for quick, focused sushi runs.