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Fin Sushi Bar

1742 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
$$
Sushi, Japanese

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Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)

Fin Sushi Bar 8.0
Ravenswood
A Ravenswood BYOB neighborhood room that’s best when you treat it like a steady sushi-and-kitchen-plates spot rather than chasing novelty. Go for a balanced order—one salad or starter, a couple of rolls, and one warm dish—then let the value do the work.
Must-Try Dishes: Kani salad, Chef-style specialty rolls (choose 1–2, not five), Sashimi/nigiri sampler
Scores:
Value: 8.4 Service: 7.9 Consistency: 8 Food Quality: 8.2 Atmosphere: 7.2 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: BYOB neighborhood sushi with strong value when you order thoughtfully.
Who should go: BYOB regulars who want a low-fuss sushi night
When to visit: Weeknights for a quieter room and faster pacing
What to order: Kani salad, 2 rolls, a nigiri or sashimi add-on
Insider tip: Keep it to 2–3 core items—quality holds best per dollar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on nearby residential blocks; usually manageable on weeknights, tighter on weekends after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans and sweaters are common, no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate — generally easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable rolls, avocado-based maki, salads, and a few kitchen starters.
Vegan options: Limited — a handful of vegetable rolls; confirm sauces if avoiding fish-based ingredients.
Gluten-free options: Partial — sashimi and some rolls work, but soy sauce and cross-contact should be discussed.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something relaxed and low-pressure — it’s calm, affordable, and BYOB, which keeps the night flexible.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or early evenings; weekends are busier, so going early improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids who enjoy simple rolls; it’s more of a quiet neighborhood spot than a family-focused dining room.
Best For
Better for: Value-driven BYOB sushi nights with a balanced mix of rolls and warm dishes rather than trend-chasing menus.
Skip if: You’re looking for high-end omakase, rare fish specials, or a lively late-night sushi scene.
Fin Sushi Bar 8.0
Ravenswood
A BYOB neighborhood sushi room that plays best as a balanced, repeatable order: a couple of clean rolls, a few add-ons, and one warm item to round things out. It’s strongest when you keep the table disciplined—simple choices, steady pacing, and value doing the work.
Must-Try Dishes: Kappa roll, Tamago, Tobiko
Scores:
Value: 8.6 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 8 Food Quality: 8.4 Atmosphere: 6.4 Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: BYOB neighborhood sushi with strong value when you order thoughtfully.
Who should go: BYOB regulars who want low-fuss sushi
When to visit: Weeknights for calmer service
What to order: Kappa roll, tamago, tobiko add-on
Insider tip: Keep it to a tight order—2–3 core picks hold best.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on nearby residential blocks; generally manageable on weeknights but tighter after 7pm on weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual—jeans and sneakers are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy to hold a conversation, even solo at the counter.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, tamago, salads, and a few cooked sides.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly vegetable rolls and simple sides; best to confirm sauces.
Gluten-free options: Some options available, especially sashimi and plain rolls, but cross-contact is possible—ask before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something low-pressure and relaxed. It’s quiet, casual, and BYOB, which works best for conversation rather than impressing with spectacle.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weeknights or earlier dinners. Weekends are busier, but short waits are more common than full walk-away situations.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults and older kids. The room is calm and compact, with simple rolls that work for kids, but there’s no dedicated kids menu or high-energy atmosphere.
Best For
Better for: Value-driven BYOB sushi nights, solo dining, and repeat neighborhood meals where consistency matters more than novelty.
Skip if: You’re looking for an omakase experience, luxury seafood sourcing, or a buzzy, scene-driven sushi bar.
Fin Sushi Bar 8.1
Ravenswood
A Ravenswood BYOB neighborhood favorite where rolls run clean, reliable, and consistently satisfying—especially the crunchy and spicy builds. It’s strongest when you order a tight trio: one crunchy roll, one classic tuna/salmon roll, and one house specialty, then stop before it turns into a sampler spree.
Must-Try Dishes: Crunchy spicy tuna roll, Philadelphia roll, Chicago roll
Scores:
Value: 8.2 Service: 7.9 Consistency: 8.2 Food Quality: 8.3 Atmosphere: 7 Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: BYOB neighborhood sushi with dependable, well-built rolls.
Who should go: Regulars who want reliable sushi without a scene
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early dinner for fastest service
What to order: Crunchy spicy tuna roll, Philadelphia roll, Chicago roll
Insider tip: Bring BYOB and prioritize one crunchy roll while it’s freshest.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Lincoln and nearby side streets; usually manageable but can tighten after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual neighborhood attire—jeans and sweaters are common; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, avocado, cucumber, and sweet potato options are readily available.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—vegetable rolls and simple maki; confirm sauces if ordering specialty rolls.
Gluten-free options: Some options available—sashimi and select rolls without soy sauce; cross-contact possible, so notify staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something relaxed and low-pressure. It’s comfortable and conversation-friendly, but not designed for a flashy or romantic impression.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weekdays or early evenings. Peak weekend dinner can mean a short wait, but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—approachable rolls, a calm dining room, and flexible ordering make it suitable for elementary-age kids and up.
Best For
Better for: Reliable, no-frills sushi rolls, BYOB flexibility, and consistent neighborhood dining without hype.
Skip if: You’re looking for omakase, rare fish, or a high-end sushi counter experience—more specialized spots will deliver more excitement.
Fin Sushi Bar 8.2
Ravenswood
A Ravenswood neighborhood spot that mixes sushi-bar staples with Thai-leaning plates, so a date can split rolls and still pivot to something warm and shareable. Best results come from pairing one signature roll with one noodle or soup, keeping the table balanced.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy Tuna, Dragon, Bacon Wonton
Scores:
Value: 8 Service: 8.1 Consistency: 8.3 Food Quality: 8.5 Atmosphere: 6.4 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Sushi and Thai favorites in one flexible neighborhood menu.
Who should go: Dates who want sushi plus one warm shared plate.
When to visit: Early dinner for smoother service and easier seating.
What to order: Spicy Tuna, Dragon, Tom Yum
Insider tip: Split one roll and one hot dish—don’t over-order rice.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; generally manageable on weeknights, tighter Friday–Saturday evenings.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but most guests lean a little polished for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively enough for energy, but you can still hold a full conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetarian rolls, noodle dishes, and vegetable-forward Thai plates.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with careful ordering (vegetable rolls, select Thai items without fish sauce), but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly sushi and rice-based dishes; soy sauce substitutions may be available, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The menu gives you flexibility to share rolls without committing to a full omakase-style meal, and the room has enough buzz to keep things relaxed rather than stiff.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or early evenings. On weekends, arriving before peak dinner hours improves your chances, otherwise expect a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat. It works for older kids who like sushi or noodles, but the vibe and menu skew more toward adults and date-night diners than families with young children.
Best For
Better for: Dates or small groups who want sushi plus a warm, shareable Thai dish instead of committing to an all-sushi meal.
Skip if: You’re looking for a traditional, fish-forward sushi bar experience or a quiet, intimate omakase-style date night.