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Meshuga 4 Sushi
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Meshuga 4 Sushi
7.6
A fast-casual kosher sushi shop that leans into playful specialty rolls and easy grab-and-go energy. Fish is solid for the price point, and the menu is built for mixing a few rolls into a quick meal. Best as a practical neighborhood utility spot rather than a destination room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thunder roll, Sweet potato roll, Spicy tuna roll
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Kosher fast-casual sushi with inventive roll options.
Who should go: Budget sushi fans and quick takeout diners.
When to visit: Early evening for shortest lines.
What to order: Thunder roll, sweet potato roll, spicy tuna.
Insider tip: Go half classic, half specialty rolls for best balance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Pico can be tight during peak dinner hours, but meter spots and nearby residential streets usually open up with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—ideal for quick meals or takeout. No need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly takeout traffic with a small dine-in flow, so conversation is easy.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on takeout volume.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several rolls and sides are fully vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly vegetable rolls; verify sauces if strict.
Gluten-free options: Partial—some rolls can be made gluten-free, but soy sauce is not GF by default.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date since it's more fast-casual and grab-and-go. Better suited for a quick, low-key bite.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations, and seating is first-come, first-served with fast turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple rolls and quick service make it easy for families, though seating is limited and best for short visits.
Best For
Better for: Affordable specialty rolls and quick kosher sushi when you want fast, low-fuss ordering.
Skip if: You want premium fish quality, full-service sushi, or a sit-down experience—choose higher-end spots instead.
Meshuga 4 Sushi
7.6
A kosher, fast-casual Japanese sushi shop geared toward grab-and-go and playful specialty rolls. Fish quality is solid for the price, and the menu is built for quick mixing of a few favorites. Best as a practical utility stop over a destination meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thunder roll, Spicy tuna roll, Sweet potato tempura roll
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: Kosher fast-casual sushi with fun roll variety.
Who should go: Budget sushi fans and quick takeout diners.
When to visit: Early evening for shortest lines.
What to order: Thunder roll, spicy tuna, sweet potato roll.
Insider tip: Go half classic, half specialty rolls for balance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Pico and side streets; usually available but tighter after 6pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; ideal for grab-and-go or low-key dine-in.
Noise level: Low to moderate — counter-service atmosphere with easy conversation.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on takeout volume; rarely longer.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait beyond ordering at the counter.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several veggie rolls and sides.
Vegan options: Limited — a few plant-based rolls (like sweet potato) but not fully vegan-oriented.
Gluten-free options: Some options available, but no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date — it’s more of a fast-casual, counter-service spot suited for quick meals rather than a slow conversational setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served and usually available; most guests take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual setting, quick service, and simple rolls make it easy for families. Best for kids comfortable with counter-service dining.
Best For
Better for: Fast, budget-friendly kosher sushi with playful specialty rolls and quick pickup.
Skip if: You want premium fish, a sit-down dining experience, or a more traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Meshuga 4 Sushi
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
A fast-casual kosher roll specialist known for big, inventive combinations and a loyal Pico corridor following. The vibe is grab-and-go, but the rolls deliver bold flavor and satisfying portions for the price.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sweet potato tempura roll, Spicy tuna crunch roll, Sushi donut platter
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Kosher fast-casual rolls with playful, filling combos.
Who should go: Takeout crews and value hunters.
When to visit: Early evening for freshest batches.
What to order: Sweet potato roll, spicy tuna crunch, one signature combo.
Insider tip: Order sauces on the side to keep tempura crisp.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Pico and nearby residential blocks; meters turn over often but can be tight during dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual and come-as-you-are; no need to dress up for this fast-casual setup.
Noise level: Low to moderate; mostly takeout flow with short dine-in stays, so conversation is easy.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak pickup runs.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait aside from a short order queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several veggie rolls, including sweet potato and cucumber-based options.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 rolls qualify if you omit sauces containing mayo.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some rolls can be made gluten-free, but request no tempura and confirm soy sauce options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than a true first date; the fast-casual setup and quick turnover make it more functional than atmospheric.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations aren’t used; seating is limited but tables flip quickly due to the takeout-first flow.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple rolls, quick service, and a relaxed setup work well for kids, though there’s no dedicated kids’ menu or highchair-heavy layout.
Best For
Better for: Large, budget-friendly rolls with bold sauces and fast turnaround — ideal when you want filling kosher sushi without committing to a full sit-down meal.
Skip if: You’re looking for a polished dine-in experience, pristine fish cuts, or quieter, slower-paced sushi bars.
Meshuga 4 Sushi
8.1
A lively kosher sushi room with a strong chef-choice omakase at the bar, turning a casual night into a guided progression of nigiri and hot bites. The sushi-counter seats are the move for the full chef’s-table feel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef’s omakase nigiri set, Toro or seasonal sashimi, Crispy rice with spicy tuna
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Kosher sushi bar with a reliable chef-choice omakase.
Who should go: Sushi fans chasing chef selections
When to visit: Early dinner for bar seats
What to order: Omakase, toro, crispy rice
Insider tip: Tell the chef your favorites and let them steer.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Pico is doable before 6pm but gets competitive later; side streets offer better luck after dinner rush. No valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—most guests come in jeans and nice tops, but bar seats lean slightly dressy.
Noise level: Lively but manageable; conversation at the sushi bar is easy, tables can get louder during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially for sushi-bar seats.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderately accommodating—plenty of veggie rolls and sides.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly cucumber/avocado rolls and a few vegetable plates.
Gluten-free options: Good options—many rolls can be made gluten-free; tamari available upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—sit at the sushi bar for a built-in activity as the chef guides the omakase. It’s energetic without being chaotic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes—walk-ins are common, but for bar seats on weekends, arriving early is key.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—fine for older kids comfortable with sushi; the room is lively but seating is tighter, so strollers aren’t ideal.
Best For
Better for: A fun, kosher-friendly sushi bar experience with a chef-guided omakase that feels spontaneous and social.
Skip if: You want ultra-traditional sushi, a quiet room, or a lengthy high-end omakase—this is more casual and energetic.
Meshuga 4 Sushi
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A fast-casual kosher sushi shop built for made-to-order rolls and quick turnarounds, but still a solid date option if you’re leaning casual. Think fresh, straightforward fish, friendly service, and a relaxed counter vibe. Great for a spontaneous night when you want sushi without committing to a long sit-down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Caterpillar roll, Crunchy roll, Salmon teriyaki bowl
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Kosher sushi with fast-casual pricing and reliable freshness.
Who should go: Couples doing a casual, quick sushi night.
When to visit: Early evening for fastest service.
What to order: Caterpillar, crunchy roll, teriyaki bowl.
Insider tip: Customize rolls lightly—simple builds shine best here.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Pico and nearby residential blocks; usually manageable before 7pm.
Dress code: Casual—come as you are; no need to dress up for this counter-style spot.
Noise level: Low to moderate; easy to hold a conversation even during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on to-go traffic; rarely exceeds that.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; orders come out quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie rolls and cooked options.
Vegan options: Limited—but a few rolls can be customized vegan.
Gluten-free options: Partial—several rolls can be made GF; request GF soy sauce.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a casual, low-pressure meetup with quick service and simple sushi; not ideal if you're aiming for a romantic, sit-down ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service with open seating; tables turn fast and availability is usually solid.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like sushi or teriyaki; space is tight and better suited for brief meals rather than long family dinners.
Best For
Better for: Quick, budget-friendly kosher sushi with reliable freshness and fast turnaround.
Skip if: You want a polished dining room, slower pacing, or a more romantic date-night atmosphere.