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Fish In The Box
$ · Japanese, Sushi

800 Masonic Ave, San Francisco, CA 94117 (415) 563-2828
Closed
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Japanese in Haight-Ashbury Best Sushi in Haight-Ashbury

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Fish In The Box 7.7
Panhandle
Vibes: Quick Bites Champions Hidden Gems Heaven Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Counter-service spot near the Panhandle turning out tidy chirashi and cleanly cut nigiri at fair prices. Great for park picnics or a quick, low-key dinner.
Must-Try Dishes: Deluxe chirashi, Nigiri combo, Salmon ikura don
Scores:
Value: 8.8 Service: 7.4 Consistency: 7.9 Food Quality: 8.1 Atmosphere: 6.1 Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Chirashi-focused counter with neat cuts and park-friendly boxes.
Who should go: Takeout fans and picnickers
When to visit: Lunch rush for fastest turnover
What to order: Truffle chirashi; nigiri combo; salmon ikura don
Insider tip: Order ahead—boxes travel well to the Panhandle.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only—usually manageable on weekdays but can be tight around peak Panhandle hours and weekends.
Dress code: Ultra casual; parkwear and hoodies are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate—mostly takeout traffic and short stays, easy for conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–15 minutes depending on takeout volume.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; grab-and-go orders ready within 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—avocado rolls, vegetable tempura, and egg-based donburi available.
Vegan options: Minimal—basic veggie rolls possible on request, but sauces may contain fish stock.
Gluten-free options: Yes, many options with tamari substitution; inform staff when ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re keeping it casual—counter seating and quick service make it better for low-pressure meetups than long dinners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—no reservations needed. Most guests order to-go, so dine-in seats usually turn over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals—staff are friendly and the space is informal, but seating is limited and there are no high chairs or kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: Quick, clean chirashi and takeout-friendly sushi boxes at wallet-friendly prices.
Skip if: You’re looking for a long sit-down dinner or premium omakase experience—try Kibatsu or jū-ni instead.

Hours

Monday11:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday11:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday11:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Thursday11:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Friday11:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday11:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Sunday11:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8:30pm