0 Followers
Sushi on Fire
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Sushi on Fire
8.0
Contemporary sushi spot on 2nd Street serving innovative fusion rolls with fast midday service. Outdoor seating and no-reservation policy make it accessible for spontaneous business lunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Refreshing Roll, Magic Mountain, Crunchy B Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Fast lunch turnover with creative specialty rolls and patio seating
Who should go: Casual business meetings preferring modern fusion over traditional
When to visit: Weekdays noon-2pm before weekend crowds hit
What to order: Refreshing roll, spicy edamame with fried garlic, baked rolls
Insider tip: Outdoor tables perfect for working lunches in good weather
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 2nd Street and side streets - metered until 6pm ($1.50/hr), free after. Arrive early for lunch spots within 1 block.
Dress code: Business casual works perfectly - collared shirts and slacks common, but nice jeans acceptable for more casual meetings
Noise level: Moderate indoor buzz, quieter on patio - can easily hold business conversations without raising voices
Weekend wait: 30-45 min typical Friday/Saturday 6-8pm, no reservations accepted so plan accordingly
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait 11:30am-1:30pm, fast table turnover gets you seated within 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable rolls, avocado-based options, and veggie tempura. About 8-10 roll options plus appetizers.
Vegan options: Limited but doable - cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, edamame, and some veggie rolls without mayo-based sauces. Ask server to confirm ingredients.
Gluten-free options: Challenging - most rolls use regular soy sauce and tempura batter. They can accommodate with tamari and sashimi options but cross-contamination risk exists.
Good to Know
Is this good for a business lunch meeting? Excellent choice - fast service gets you in/out in 45-60 minutes, moderate noise lets you talk business clearly, and the casual-upscale vibe works for everything from client pitches to team strategy sessions. Patio tables ideal for longer discussions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - they don't take reservations at all. For lunch, walk-ins seat quickly (under 10 min wait). Evenings and weekends expect 30-45 min waits during peak times. Put your name in and grab a drink at nearby spots if needed.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-oriented for business lunch crowd but not unwelcoming to families. California rolls and tempura work for kids, though the fusion-forward menu skews to adventurous eaters. Best for ages 8+ who can handle 30-45 min waits on busy nights.
How does it compare to traditional sushi spots? Skip this if you want authentic omakase or traditional nigiri - it's fusion-forward with creative specialty rolls and bold flavors. Come here for innovation and speed over ceremony and tradition.
Is the outdoor seating worth requesting? Absolutely for business lunches in good weather - quieter than inside, more spacious for spreading out laptops or papers, and pleasant Belmont Shore atmosphere. Indoor seating fine but patio is the move when available.
Best For
Better for: Fast-paced business lunches needing quick turnover, creative fusion rolls over traditional nigiri, spontaneous meetups without reservations, and outdoor working lunches in Belmont Shore's 2nd Street scene
Skip if: You want traditional omakase experience, need guaranteed seating for time-sensitive meetings (no reservations = risk), prefer quiet white-tablecloth formality, or have strict gluten-free requirements
Sushi on Fire
8.3
High-energy sushi bar on 2nd Street delivers creative specialty rolls with generous portions and fast service in a contemporary Japanese fusion setting. The kitchen works with remarkable efficiency, turning out innovative rolls like the Pink Lady and Halloween Roll alongside traditional favorites. Fresh seafood and bold flavor combinations draw consistent crowds to this Belmont Shore favorite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pink Lady Roll, Refreshing Roll, 911 Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Lightning-fast kitchen execution with creative specialty rolls and notably generous fish portions
Who should go: Couples wanting creative fusion rolls with solid value
When to visit: Lunch for lighter crowds, no reservations accepted
What to order: Pink Lady roll, spicy edamame with garlic, Crunchy B roll
Insider tip: Street parking is challenging; arrive early or use nearby lots
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only on 2nd Street - challenging after 5pm. Arrive 15 minutes early or use paid lots on Ocean Ave (2 blocks, $8-10)
Dress code: Casual to smart casual - jeans and nice top works, no dress code enforced
Noise level: Moderate energy - you can hold conversation but not whisper-quiet. Music adds buzz without overwhelming
Weekend wait: 20-40 min typical Friday/Saturday 6-8pm (no reservations). Bar seating usually available sooner
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait - seat within 5-10 minutes most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 8-10 veggie rolls including avocado, cucumber, and creative options like vegetable tempura rolls
Vegan options: Limited - 3-4 options (cucumber roll, avocado roll, vegetable rolls). Ask for no mayo/cream-based sauces
Gluten-free options: Challenging - soy sauce has gluten, cross-contamination likely. They'll accommodate but selection limited to sashimi and basic rolls
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Solid choice - energetic but not too loud, impressive creative rolls show effort, and $50-70 for two keeps it casual without seeming cheap. The fast service prevents awkward dead time.
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations, so everyone's walk-in. Weeknights you'll get seated quickly. Weekend evenings expect 20-40 min - put your name in, grab drinks at nearby bar, they'll text when ready.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for ages 8+ who'll eat sushi or chicken teriyaki. High-energy vibe works with kids, they have basic rolls and teriyaki options. Under 6 might get restless with wait times and limited kids' menu.
How does the happy hour work? Weekday happy hour (typically 3-6pm) features discounted rolls and drinks. Bar seating fills fast - arrive by 4pm for best selection. Food comes out quickly so it's efficient for after-work crowds.
What's the portion size like? Generous - rolls are notably larger than typical sushi spots with more fish per piece. Two specialty rolls plus appetizer easily feeds two people. Don't over-order on first round.
Best For
Better for: Fast service when you're hungry, creative specialty rolls over traditional nigiri, generous portions that feel like solid value, energetic date night vibe without stuffy atmosphere
Skip if: You want quiet intimate conversation, prefer traditional high-end sushi omakase, need extensive gluten-free options, or want guaranteed seating (no reservations accepted)