Yamato Japanese Restaurant

The place is small but with the patio seating it looked amazing. Sushi chef on point greeting everyone in a Japanese tradition. Got my cold Asahi, wife order the roll which looked phenomenal and we got oyster shooters. Unfortunately my meal never made it. They had the order stuck in the printer for 45 minutes. Decided to leave and experience the beautiful day in Grover Beach. Maybe next time. Pricing on the menu was pricey but I can't say worth it or not. Never tasted it. :(

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 2

Ordered Ginger Pork Ramen. Looked and tasted like miso ramen. The pork was not seasoned. They sliced it from a pork lion in thick slices and it was so dry. The noodles were too hard. Very disappointing! Not worth the money. The restaurant smelled like a fish market.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Rude service, very loud atmosphere. Diner area is very small, lots of people hanging around outside creating a unpleasant dining experience. Sushi was very good but the grill food was sub par. Chicken taste reheated, sushi came out a full 20 minutes ahead of the grill items, plus the ran outta rice so one plate didn't get rice till we were done. Would not recommend and don't choose to revisit.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2

Great local business with delicious food and quick service.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Steve's awesome. Sit at the bar and pour him a shot of sake. Food is amazing. Feel at home when dining here

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best sushi around! Our family has been loyal customers of Steve’s for over 20 years. Always fun and always delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fish was just OK and I was expecting better, service was not very experienced or knowledgeable in the menu or food, and atmosphere was underwhelming

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Nigiri Sushi

Not even one star. これ読めるんなら、ここでメシ食うなよ。

What I was served tonight was absolutely shocking, and disgraceful. Should not even be called Japanese food at all. I’m not sure what happened, but the owners really need to check themselves. I hate giving bad reviews, but I was charge $75 for something that United Airlines wouldn’t even serve.

Katsu-don according to Yamato: a bed of rice, dry over cooked tasteless chicken fried pork, and a dry eggy flat omelet on top with some sort of sauce which is as thin as water comprised of shoyu dashi maybe? Not one thing was correct or even tasted good.

Tempura-udon according to Yamato: Overly strong warm broth, absolutely not delicate or delicious. Very little noodle. Tiny tempura, and no tempura flakes at all.

Look, I’ve lived in Japan, and I’m careful about comparing our offerings here. Despite that, this meal was a joke, a very expensive, and sad joke. I won’t be back, and I’ll warn my friends.

I hope the owners fix this, as customers who don’t know better deserve better. Perhaps their sushi offerings are better, just don’t eat from their kitchen.

Food: 1

Great sushi place.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Fresh Wasabi

Small place, great food, personalized service. Food is fresh tasting, nicely prepared.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Parking: Small parking lot for multiple businesses yet we were able to find parking no problem.

Food: 5

The only place I will go for sushi. Consistently the best sashimi, rolls, and customer service. Worth the 30 minute drive.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nice site.. tasty food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent sushi! Had several appys…seaweed salad, edamame and miso soup..all great. The two tools and halibut sushi were well prepared, fresh and very tasty. Good service!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place has great food but SOME of the staff is lacking in basic respect and they end up making everyone’s lives (staff and customer) more difficult because of it.If the staff just asked if we meant to order extra sauce instead of swearing in front of us and forcing us to pay 7 bucks then I think everyone would have had a better experience.Better yet, include that sauce in the order if you’re going to charge the customer for it! I the tip I gave was appreciated because I will not be tipping here for takeout like a fool again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Ninja Roll