Ashley W.

Mindy is right that the white tuna melts in your mouth. Bob San is one of my favorite sushi places...I personally think it's better than Marai which is right across the street. There are so many different rolls to choose from on the menu that I select something different everytime and I'm always satisfied. The atmosphere here is also very cute- a great place for a date!

Jennifer b.

Love this place! I always have the best experience with some amazing food. I always opt to sit at the bar where the men behind the counter are now acquaintances (I'm there A LOT), and remember me and have lovely conversation. The rolls there are always dead ON. I've never had a bad experience! And out of all the sushi restaurants I've been to in the city (quite a few), this one is on top :)

Jas B.

Bob San has some of the most delectable and fresh sushi in town. The combo rolls, especially the rainbow roll, are absolutely fantastic! The decor is fairly trendy, service is on the whole very good, and the crowd is generally diverse . Although this isn't the priciest sushi joint around (but by no means cheap), it stands up really well to some of its pricier Wicker Park cousins such as Mirai. I've eaten there lots of times, and can't say i've ever had a bad experience. Bon appetit!

Carly M.

This is probably my favorite sushi place in the city, and I love coming here. They have the best sushi and their menu items- like steak and seafood dishes are fantastic as well. I love their crispy shrimp rolls, and they have excellent tuna rolls. It's reasonably priced too- we had 4 people there and our bill was $80 with 2 drinks/person. Not bad!

bill s.

Well, this was the first place I've ever eaten sushi at, therefore I cannnot base my opinion of it on comparisons to other sushi restaurants obviously, however I was definately impressed indeed. I enjoyed the sushi rolls very much, perhaps a tad bit to my surprise. Well I didn't go in there being pessimistic, but let's just say I wasn't at all sure what to expect. Luckily I have a girlfriend with a fine pallet for taste. I decided to try Japanese beer while I was there as well which was not bad at all, but I'm still in favor of Corona. Hehe.

Dru G.

The best sushi in Chicago for the price. The rolls are pretty big and very fresh so you leave Bob San very happy. It's crowded, but not loud...a really good place for a date!

Michelle W.

This sushi restaurant is a great Wicker Park mainstay. Everything is relatively inexpensive and consistently good, not to mention sitting on the "patio" aka sidewalk is very cool. Try the crunchy vegatarian roll...it is amazing...who knew sweet potato in sushi would taste this good.

Trent M.

The hip (read: pretentious) little brother of downtown sushi staple Naniwa, Bob San is one of my favorite places to quickly pick up one of my favorite rolls of sushi - the Giant roll (Naniwa Roll at Naniwa). It seems like the crazy crowds have died down and you wont have too much of a problem getting a table (sit out on the sidewalk for GREAT people watching). That being said, the people frequenting this place are not my favorite. GREAT fish, decent service, and location are the main draws... although they don't deliver if you are lucky enough to live east of Damen, Naniwa will deliver the same stuff right to your doorstep. Great alternative to Mirai.

Janie S.

I have eaten a lot of sushi and sashimi. I mean I grew up in Hawaii, an island in the middle of the Pacific so it wasn't a big thing. So after being told Bob San is a great sushi restaurant by multiple people I had high expectations. The rolls are average, and the nigiri sushi is not as fresh as it should be. Stringy tasting tuna is usually a sign it's gone bad. Plus in terms of service...it's not great. They seated us and forgot about us for 30 mins, that's when we got our water. Then it took us another 20 mins for them to take our order which by then we were starving. And this was on a weeknight. The food came out in a timely fashion- I will give them that but really. Bob San, you failed to impress me.

Bess R.

This is the first place I ever had REAL sushi...by real sushi I mean not california rolls from the grocery store (scary, I know). Came here on a date about 4 years ago, and it was awesome. We sat at the bar, had lots of sake, octopus salad, several rolls and some super white tuna sashimi. YUM. I've been back many times, and always enjoy Bob San.

marisa s.

great sush always. i have been to many group dinners here and have always had great service (even if some of the people we're with get too drunk and needy) and good quality sushi. i love the kani su, house crunch roll and the asparagus beef (but it's so deja vu--i've had this before, it's at Japonais, Mirai...and probably a few other places that i can't remember) if mirai is too long of a wait, this is a good 2nd place...and you will be happy with your sush.

Shannon M.

pan fried scallops. If I am with one or more people, I get an order for the table and an order for myself. and then i get an order for dessert.

Heather M.

The fish is soooo fresh and yummy! And sitting at the sushi bar area is a must! If you go on Thursday, Friday or Saturday Bob San will be there rolling up your rolls for you. And their cosmos are delicious! When we went we told Bob San what we liked and he made us some fabulous rolls - I can't wait to go back. And their rolls are decently priced - not crazy expensive...check it out!!!

Max Y.

Both me and my wife got food poisoning there from a meal on sunday. Won't be going back there.

Krysta F.

Bob San is my #1 Love for Sushi, I go there using any excuse possible. If you have a chance, try the House Crunch, it is like crack, no joke. Their drinks are so good and I love how they give each person an orange for desert, they are always so delicious! I have never had anything that I did not love. Their go-mai is also fabulous (it's like spinach with peanut sauce...mmmmm)....I recommend this place to ANYONE who knows good sushi

courtney g.

The sushi was great - our service was adequate (when asked the difference between a 'mayo spicy' roll and a 'chili spicy' roll, the waitress gave us a blank face and simply repeated my question) - the atmosphere was unobtrusively cool, and the music was downtempo and perfect. Swarmed as you might expect given its location, but I'll definitely go back. I was relieved to note that they seem to be past the 'beautiful people only' part of the restaurant lifecycle and instead now welcome a pretty diverse clientele - meaning, us regular folks can visit too.

Kristin N.

Loved the crunchy rolls! This place was a great find. The service was excellent, atmosphere was good and trendy - and "Bob" was a delightful host. Fantastic experience at the Sushi Bar and recommend it highly. We'll be going back for sure.

Crystal M.

I *hate* this place. The waitstaff that I have had always seem flaky and distracted. It's possible that this is the restaurant's fault because they do seem to under staff and probably drive the servers into an out of body trance just so they can get through the night. However, I do not consider that to be my problem. I have to mention that my server stood between me and my drinks. This is a NO NO. What I mean by this is that I got one and never had the opportunity to get another. This is FOOLISH on the part of any server. Drinks boost the bill, thus making your tip higher, and also make you drunker, which makes you more generous! It's a win win situation for a server to keep the booze flowing!!! Flowing like a river! Anyway, the food is OK. It's edible, but it didn't move me. The decor inside is pretty shabby. The seats on the patio are doable, but certainly not comfortable. This place needs a major overhaul. I've given it 3 or 4 chances over the years and the last one was, well...the last. Aurevoir Bob San.

Briana H.

I loveeeee Bob San! Their spicy mayo is absolutely delicious in every way! I haven't ever had a problem with them but I've only dined in once. Their take out is usually pretty damn fast. I call it in and by the time I get there (down the street) it's usually ready to go! One of the best sushi places I've ever had! YUMMM!

Carolina P.

The Sushi is always fresh and tasty. The service is only so-so. Its really hard to get a check at the end of your dinner or add another roll to your order. On the other hand its close by not too expensive and if you order take out you can skip all the bad stuff and just eat the yummy sushi.

Tim L.

Sushi here is excellent and very well priced.

Sassy P.

I wouldn't return to this sushi place. I think its overpriced and definitely nothing special to me. I found the sushi ordinary and a little bland. The food is overpriced and service is mediocre. The outdoor seating is nice during summer where you can enjoy the busyness of Wicker Park area. The drinks were average, they tasted more juicy then cocktail like. Would not recommend, but maybe I am just one of those bad reviews in a bunch of good ones...

One T.

Whenever any of my friends ask me where to go for sushi I suggest this place. It's moderately priced, great decor and the waitresses are sweet and quick. Not to mention the sushi is yummy!

milk p.

Living right around the corner, Bob San was my favorite neighborhood sushi spot until about a month ago. On that particular night, my boyfriend & I ordered the Maguro Sashimi - up to that point we had marveled to each other about how the tuna melted in our mouths. On this occasion the tuna was not particularly fresh & slightly fishy. The texture was actually rough and slightly gritty (almost like a cat's tongue) - so much so that we sent it back. All the while understanding that these things can happen. We had already had numerous great meals here - so this experience would not stop us from coming back. What turned the experience from mediocre to a terrible was our conversation with the manager who stopped by the table to speak with us about our experience. She told us that the Chef had tasted the tuna & that it was fine. We told her that we had eaten the same dish there on numerous previous occasions & had always loved it. But she replied in a snippy manner that we should really try a sample first to make sure we liked something before ordering a larger amount - as if we had never had raw fish before. I have walked by numerous times since and felt sick to my stomach. It will be a long time before we go back.

Rachel H.

Bob is in the middle of my sushi pricing scale. When I want a step up from sushi buffet and I can't afford my beloved Sushi Wabi, this is the one and only stop for me. I often start with the cucumber salad or tempura snow crab and then move onto the candy of sushi, the House Crunch. Mmm eel sauce. I usually get one other roll and sometimes the king crab nigiri. I am such a crab beast. Even though I am stuffed I always have room for the mango mochi ice cream AND the complimentary oranges. Oh Bob, how I love you.

Beau A.

I like this place. Compared to the other sushi places on this stretch of Division, just as good and less expensive than Mirai and and better food than Aki. I like the decoration as well. The lights on the ceiling look like a garden of Q-Tips. The service left a little to be desired, I think we caught a shift change or something.

Robin W.

Bob San is the best sushi in the city! Seriously, I searched high and low for a better roll, and just can't find it. The indoor area is a little mod, techno with the decor. Outside seating is perfect on the right day, for a date, catching up with a friend, entertaining out of town guests and helping your dad try sushi for the first time. My favorite menu items: -Vegetable Crunch (with tempera sweet potato) -House Crunch (AMaaaaazing eel sauce) -Spicy Tuna -Steamed Shrimp Dumplings Not overpriced, open pretty late, great service (complete with hot towels and a cute complimentary orange dessert), and fast take out too!

Amelie D.

It's open late the the sushi is superb. Try the Bobby Hand Roll, which does not contain anything raw, for those who are sushi-shy. It is a savory combination of smoked salmon, daikon radish sprouts, cucumber, tobiko (the tiny orange eggs), and special sauce, wrapped in rice and nori. Server Christine is the coolest one there, but all of the staff is laid back and helpful.

Tina M.

Great neighborhood spot for the raw stuff...the sushi bar and tables both provide a great atmosphere. Don't leave without ordering the house crunch roll or the seared scallops....DEEEELICIOUS!

Robin D.

We just literally came back from this sushi place and boy am I fired up to write this review. If you look at the list of restaurants that I have reviewed you will see that I have been to a lot of sushi places so I thnk I know what im talking about. We did not have reservations but we were seated immediately, thats fabulous. The server came to give us the menu pretty promptly so that not bad. The place had a nice ambience. The downfall begins with the food. We ordered, the BobSan, Alaskan Dragon, sea bass roll and the scallop temaki (I cant remember the exact names of the lastt two). The price is similar to Toro and Usagi Ya but the quality is just not good at all. The rice is wet and sticky and they scrimp on the fish and they stuff it with Avocado and other stuff. The Bob San was not good at all, there were two rolls that were stuffed with leaves instead of the fish. They have 6 small pieces per order for the roll and they are small. After the first order I wasnt full at all so we ordered the Passion and the Alaskan. Ilike King Crab and the Alaskan Rainbow didnt have enough crab at all, I could barely taste the crab so I ordered a different one which is just King Crab roll (Alaskan) and my gosh I still cannot taste or see the crab. The Passion was just as bad, we just had to pick the salmon because the rice was too wet and sticky and the avocado was overpowering the roll. Doesnt end here, the service is too slow in this place, granted they are busy but how long does it take to get the check. I will not be returning at this place at all and I dont recommend it. So many good sushi places. in the city.

shaun M.

One of the better places to go in the city if you want some good sushi. I highly recommend getting the smoke crunch.

Kate S.

While Bob San isn't the best sushi in Chicago (that would be Heat, easily), it's pretty damn good and only slightly overpriced. This just might explain why even on a Monday night we were packed into a bistro-like table almost bumping elbows with a group of gesticulating Spanish bankers. People seem to think that what Bob San does best is the fish itself, and since for me sushi restaurant == raw fish, this suits me just fine. I'd stick to sashimi and nigiri rather than sharing lots of rolls and things next visit. The hamachi--my favorite, so I'm fussy--was so good I disassembled the nigiri and ate the fish alone. The super-white nigiri was likewise unexpectedly "dressed" with something vinegary and some wafer-thin bits of scallion, but I overcame my bias for all things naked and decided I liked it anyway. I couldn't extend the same absolution to the citrus-marinated jalepeno salmon sashimi--the spicy, tart flavors totally overpowered the fish. Rolls were good, but not staggeringly so. I preferred the perfectly competent spider roll to the house crunch, which I thought was too sweet and sort of odd (my husband, on the other hand, loved it). Because pieces were overall on the large side, that compensated somewhat for the largeish prices. And it may be childish, but the perfectly popcorny gemaicha tea also made me very very happy. Decor is pleasantly nondescript and service was similarly, well, serviceable. Bob San's straightforward nature makes it a top bet next time workday stress makes me crave simplicity at dinner, but people looking for a fun start to a night out with friends will especially enjoy the closely-packed tables and generally relaxed, somewhat noisy atmosphere.

Nick S.

I'm indifferent about Bob San. The sushi is good, but pretty straight forward. They have a good bar area, which I prefer. I've consistently had better sushi for the money.

Cliff W.

I have been to many sushi places in Chicago and Bob San was great. The employees are very friendly and the service is quick and the price was great! I will definitely be going back when I need my next sushi fix.

Abby T.

Well, I really don't know why everyone is so in love w/ bob san! on word comes to mind: EH. the ambience was very cute, trendy. I was surprised and pleased w/ the decor. our waitress was a little spacey......think japanese girl from the movie, Babel. the scallops were pounded to be paper thin. They were tasty, but I love me a fat scallop. You can still get the caramelized, seared effect w/ a non-tenderized, flattened scallop! **May I suggest the seared scallops at Kamehachi in streeterville.** We ordered the Passion, House Crunch, Crabby Dragon and the Chili Spicy Tuna Crunch. The Passion was huge (4 oblong pieces) and it had salmon, avacado, and cucumber. After the 1st piece, I didn't the salmon in it -- it appeared to be slimey and low-grade fish -- I just ate the veggies. the crabby dragon was my favorite......I love my eel sauce!! The spicy tuna crunch was nice and spicy. The house crunch is drizzled w/ soy (and it didn't taste low sodium)........which I just don't agree w/. Dealbreaker: unisex bathrooms that were FILTHY. ugh!

Nunya B.

Great service, great sushi, great saki. The location was easy to get to, and the place looks super trendy without the pretentiousness that goes with it. Great company too, but they didn't really have much to do with that. Enjoy.

Erin C.

I love that I live right around the corner from Bob San. Bad on my wallet, good for my tummy. I tend to get carry-out from here all the time because it's so close and so damn good. My usual order is the ebi tempura and the chili spicy tuna. My roommate and I consider this the best spicy tuna we've ever had. Ever. Other recommendations: dragon roll (to die for), house crunch (spicy and super good), and the veggie tempura (really, anything fried and dipped in soy sauce is pretty good, right?). I have yet to try anything other than the maki, but there's a good chance I'll be back...probably next week. Service is also pretty good whether you eat in or get carry-out. I love that they have my # on file so they always know it's me when I call. Makes me feel loved.

Vick C.

Good sushi, I like their pan fried scallops a lot, taste great! nice decor, good service, sushi was fresh, good sake , must go there during summer again since they have patio, overall Bob San worth for 4 stars.

Jonathon C.

We sat at the sushi bar and had a great meal. Presentation was excellent and the wait staff had the perfect amount of attentiveness. Head sushi chef was personable as well. Very posh interior occupied by an "in" type crowd of patrons. Would recommend the Boston...

Chris R.

Great. Really fresh. Very well priced. Inventive rolls. Excellent and extensive selection.Most importantly- as good, if not better, than so many of the overpriced, flashy, loud, over priced and over crowded city sushi restaurants including the one right across the street.

Jonathan C.

I live just down the street from here and have eaten there dozens of times and have ordered take out as many as well. This place rocks, the house crunch rolls and the spider roll are tremendous. I went there last night with my wife and daughters and we loved it. as usual. We popped in at 8 and we waited maybe 25 minutes for a table. The bar area has plenty of room for waiting and they have an extensive by the glass list and lots of martini type drinks if you are so inclined. The decor here changes more than the menu but that's OK, the menu rocks solidly. Check out the sinks in the bathrooms, they are weirdly cool. Bob San is the shizzle. They also have a great on street dining area during the summer.

Benjamin B.

This place is awesome. Mr. Bob or San or whatever usually greets you with a big old smile from behind the sushi bar as you come in. They have a bar that, while somewhat expensive... serves bourbon. Any Sushi joint that serves bourbon is sweet as hell to me. But it doesn't stop there. They also have the best sushi in town, no joke. People rant and rave about Sushi Wabi and Japonais, but those places are all trend and no guts. I have never before had such kickin' Anago and Unagi nigiri. It is amazing. Their fish is so fresh it makes you think that it may well have been flopping around the sushi bar before they brought it yer table. It is pretty expensive, which very nearly made me give them a 4 star rating... but the fish is so good and the bourbon option so alluring that I could not bring myself to it. Word of warning though, don't let them seat you in the back room. If it is first available and they try to put you back there, tell them you'd rather wait for the main dining room. That back room is like a sound trap and if there are any loud hipsters raging their inane banter back there, yer not going to be able to think clearly enough to eat yer fine sushi. Oh and it also smells a tad like the urinal cakes that are in the men's bathroom not far off. But anyway, so long as you sit in the main dining room, this place is bound to knock yer freakin' socks off... that is of course if you are wearing any... otherwise you don't wanna know what will happen. Best not to think about THAT. *shudders fearfully*

Kate Z.

Best sushi in Wicker Park in my opinion for the price and the short wait. If you are in doubt, try the house crunch! In fact, the veggie House Crunch is also amazing!!! Sweet potato in sushi, who would have thought? And, the spicy tuna crunch is yummy to (for a lower calorie option to the "crunch" roll). For the quality, service and presentation, definitely an inexpensive option for a night out or a quick bite. Great place to go to with a group and they have outdoor seating (which I always prefer). Nothing too fancy but always get seated fairly quickly and sushi service is never too long of a wait either... plus outdoor seating space in the summer is so nice to have! Oh, and the martinis are pretty yummy too...

Mister S.

I was here for dinner, sitting at the bar, when a guy addressed one of the sushi rollers as "Bob." Could it have been the legendary Mr. San himself? I can't say for sure, but the sushi roller's outfit - a T-shirt tucked into jeans, with a classic asian face and a pony tail, seemed to personify the name "Bob San." Interesting. Bob cuts the mustard for sushi. I recommend the house crunch. The atmosphere is a little heavy on the lounge and light on Japanese, but hey, it's Bob San we're talking about here. I'd recommend reservations, as it is pretty crowded at night.

jill a.

Bob San always has good fish! The pan seared scallops are absolutely wonderful, the super white tuna is fantastic and the prices are quite reasonable for the high quality of their sushi. Its always reliable always delicious and always a good time! I'm definitely a fan :)

A K.

Yum. This is my kind of sushi. I lived in DC for a year and the thing I missed most was places like Bob San. My favorite rolls are the original dragon; the mayo spicy tuna or taco; and the house crunch. Some of their handrolls are really interesting too. And if you like sweet sauces, the pan seared scallops can't be beat (they are flattened and seared and then covered in a sweet bbq-like sauce). After the expansion, you generally can get a reservation without too much difficulty--which is a welcome difference from many sushi places in the West Loop. Living about a block away, we also do take-out from this place often, and they are always prompt in preparing the order. It's a great choice on the weekday night when the weather is great. The patio is fantastic for people watching and sipping a glass of wine.. I ended up with a 4- instead of 5-star because I would much prefer Mirai or Coast if given the choice (Mirai when I'm in the mood for the lychee martini and more complex favors; and Coast when I'm in the mood for BYOB and simple but good rolls). Oh, and because the miso soup is a bit overpriced.

Eric J.

Good Sushi, nice decor. Slightly highly priced. Probably the second best sushi in the area next to coast. Good list of sake, plum wine, etc. I'd recommend for a good neighborhood sushi restaurant.

Linda S.

If niceness were a meal you would be served this every time at Bob San. I've literally been coming here for YEARS, since they first opened, and have never had a problem or a bad meal. Bob the owner is great and he and the crew always remember me even if months have gone by since I've been in--because my sushi-eating habit runs in streaks eg, at times I will visit often and other times I'm totally not in the mood. But whatever. The sushi is solid and the service is great! My favorites are the lemon scallops, tempura, miso black cod, and for sushi the super white tuna, dragon roll and house crunch. Thanks Bob San for being consistently awesome!!

Sunshine B.

I met one of the wait staff at my job on my birthday and she invited me to go after work. It was nice, cozy and the food was good. The waitresses got together and sang a lovely off key, "Happy Birthday" and brought me an orange creatively sliced with a candle in it since they knew that I am gluten free. Great service, fair prices - I'd definitely return.

Jacob R.

So, what's not to like? 1. The fact I can't really say that much bad about it. It's not the best, but one of the best sushi places in Chicago

Melissa B.

Hmmm...its been 2 weeks since I dined in. The service was great. The sushi was not. The rolls were small and fell apart. The sashimi was awful. The tuna, which is my favorite, did not melt in my mouth. It was chewy and fishy..not fresh at all. My bf loves tuna sashimi and he had to spit his out. The crunch roll was ok, not great. For the price, I would much rather go to Coast. I do not think we will return.

Mike B.

Overpriced and the food is pretty average at best. You will be angry -- especially when that bill arrives. I gave them a chance when they first opened and hated it. Six years passed, and I gave them one more chance. Fool me twice, shame on me.

L L.

I don't think that any review can truly do justice to Bob San. It's just absolutely amazing, truly. Things I look for in sushi... *Quality of the sushi rice, so important, it should not be gummy nor too dry. *Quality and freshness of the fish *Cut of the sashimi and sushi Bob San has scored on all these points, then there's personality. I have been to Bob San about 10 times in the past 2 years, the last 7 times was in the past 4 months. Maybe it doesn't seem that much but twice a month is fairly often for a single working girl that likes to indulge in sashimi. Why the sudden leap in frequency you ask, I didnt get a raise, I didnt find a sugar daddy. I sat at the sushi bar. SIT AT THE FREAKIN' SUSHI BAR! actually don't, because then I wont get a seat. I met Bob San, THE Bob San and it was love. I let him pick what I ate and I loved it. It was AMAZING. He cares, he entertains, he's got personality, and this restauranteur puts out GREAT food. The staff is usually very attentive even when I'm not at the bar and I have a great time every time I go. (No I don't ALWAYS get a large hot sake!) I savor the food and try something new each time. I have found myself thinking about their sashimi and wanting it at all hours of the day. It is for these reasons that I will only eat sushi at Bob San when I am within a 15 mile radius. I will follow Bobby till the end of time! I also love Alan and Cammie, they are great!

Krysta F.

Bob San is my #1 Love for Sushi, I go there using any excuse possible. If you have a chance, try the House Crunch, it is like crack, no joke. Their drinks are so good and I love how they give each person an orange for desert, they are always so delicious! I have never had anything that I did not love. Their go-mai is also fabulous (it's like spinach with peanut sauce...mmmmm)....I recommend this place to ANYONE who knows good sushi

courtney g.

The sushi was great - our service was adequate (when asked the difference between a 'mayo spicy' roll and a 'chili spicy' roll, the waitress gave us a blank face and simply repeated my question) - the atmosphere was unobtrusively cool, and the music was downtempo and perfect. Swarmed as you might expect given its location, but I'll definitely go back. I was relieved to note that they seem to be past the 'beautiful people only' part of the restaurant lifecycle and instead now welcome a pretty diverse clientele - meaning, us regular folks can visit too.

Jeremiah Z.

I used to hit this place up once in a while when I lived in Wicker Park a few years back. Its a more laid-back sushi spot where reservations are easy and there are alot of noisy groups. The restaurant itself has a nice ambiance and is spacious enough. The parking situation isn't too bad either and there is plenty to do in the neighborhood before or after dinner. The sushi itself is alright...Its good but I highly doubt there is any maki roll there that will make a grand impression upon a first time visitor. I never bothered with the sashimi when I used to go so in truth, I can't attest to its quality. But I just don't see this place as somewhere you go for high quality sushi so I don't feel like I'm missing anything. You're going here more to have fun with friends on a night out so it serves that purpose well. Overall, I'd recommend it because although it doesn't satisfy my personal sushi cravings, I'm positive there are other people out there who will love it.

Katie H.

I might give this restaurant five stars if it changed its' name to "Daniel San" because that would be an awesome Karate Kid reference. Bob San is pretty rockin' though. I'm come to accept that if you want decent sushi in this city you have to be willing go into deficit. Let's be honest though, I could say this about most of my eating habits. See, I'm the kinda broad who drinks Gentleman Jack when I ought to be drinking Red Dog. But sushi cravings cannot be ignored for long, especially in a neighborhood where uppity sushi joints are as common as those dratted indie bake shops. Aki Sushi, Bob San, Blu Coral, Blue Fin, Coast, Mirai, Papajin, Usagi Ya (if I'm being alphabetical and OCD) are all within walking distance of my house. My regular dining companion and I decided upon Bob San because it seemed like it had a reassuring amount of customers (Aki Sushi doesn't) but at the same time wasn't flooded with rich wankers (MIRAI!!!). We were able to get a last minute reservation on a Friday night but I don't know that we needed one as the weather was so crappy. The host staff was very welcoming, but they welcome you in Japanese (and those girls were blatantly not from Asia) so I felt a little sorry for them. I instantly started to like this place when they presented me with a hot towel when I sat down. It was freezing out that day so I put it on my (face) cheeks to warm up. Awesome. We took a long time figuring out how much to order but we ended up with just the right amount of food. I should've written down what I ate because as lame as it sounds I really can't remember (they all had a Japanese title, ok?). All the rolls were great and I especially enjoyed the salmon sashimi appetizer. I do however remember dessert - they have awesome red bean ice cream and mochi (the latter is the perfect size for those who don't want to commit to a huge dessert). You also get orange segments too at the end of your meal which is a nice touch. Expect to spend some money here but in the world of sushi I think Bob San is what I'd call mid-range. I'll be all over this place again when they open up their covered patio on Division.

Joscelyn M.

I like this place - especially the crunch rolls. But it's nothing out of this world. I do go here more than my 3 star rating would warrant due to the close proximity of my house.

Brian M.

I love sushi and by far, Bob San's is #1 on my list. The setting's a 20-something, trendy sushi-bar with modernity in its mind set. However, don't let the trendiness fool you, the quality of the sushi is on par. The staff's very friendly, and is a terrific date place. Bob San's is pricey, but that is the cost of good food. Might I suggest the following: 1) Giant Maki roll 2) Oyster shooters (raw oyster, raw egg, sake, and hot sauce) 3) House crunch roll 4) Sashimi appetizers This is a place to take your lady (or man, depends on who's paying) and find yourself talking and enjoying good sushi. Enjoy!

Urszula H.

After reading all the rave reviews here on yelp, and my best friend talking about Bob San every time we mentioned sushi, I had to finally go here. So, today, after a few hours of shopping on Division and Milwaukee, we went, and I was definitely not disappointed. First of all, the ambiance and atmosphere are so great and cozy. I love how dim the place is, but you can definitely read the menu. The fountain on the way to the women's bathroom is pretty neat too. The service is great. The food, as almost everyone has mentioned was great. They have a large selection. The prices are a little higher than many places, but within a reasonable range (this part of the reviews is what kept me from going here for a while). Most rolls fall within $5-$8. Salads are about $5. So maybe it's not a place you will go everyday, but once a week is just fine. I WILL go back for sure.

caroline r.

So...picture this: you get seated in a nearly empty dining room and a waitress brings sake after a few minutes. You tell her you need "just another minute" to make menu decisions and 5 minutes later you see her folding up her apron and walk right past you and out the door, without taking your order, having said nothing about someone else taking over or a shift change or any sort of explanation!! YEP, that's what happened when my boyfriend and I went to Bob San last night. Our waitress left without explanation, and it was 15 minutes before another waitress came by to ask if everything was okay. There may have been 3 other tables in the entire place , and we sat there with empty glasses and closed menus (the universal "we're ready to order" signal, right?) for 15 MINUTES, waitresses and hostess walking past our table several times. Having just read another review that the scallops tasted like cat vomit, maybe I'm glad we didn't even get the chance to order. Needless to say we got the check after 20 minutes of going unnoticed in an empty restaurant, and got the heck out of there....that meal would have taken 6 hours and been miserable. The waitress who finally dropped the check at our table was dismissive and paid absolutely no attention to our mood & could not have cared less. RUDE TERRIBLE, not acceptable, worst service I've had at any restaurant in any city as long as I can remember, certainly the worst service in Chicago in the 4 years I've been here.

Mei J.

The sushi can only be as good as the ingredients. The fish is fine, but the rice is overcooked and mushy! A sushi place should know how to cook sushi rice.

Moe f.

This is one of my fav sushi spots after Katsu and Coast. Note they also own Naniwa in River north, this being the hipper spot. Super fresh fish. Good rolls and nothing to crazy with fruit and other crap. I reccomend the Super White Jalapeno sashimi app. Crunch roll decent and they ave one of my favorite spider rolls.

Denise H.

The food was very good. I was impressed with the plum wine, which actually contained a plum inside of the glass. I was not impressed with how crowd the tables were. We had a reservation, but had to wait 10 minutes for our table. There was no place to wait for your table.

maeve P.

Yeah maybe I just didn't order the right thing... at least that's what I tell myself after I read all the glowing reviews as well as hearing from several people that its their favorite sushi spot in Chicago. I can't recall exactly which rolls I ordered because thats how not memorable they were. I just remember thinking that if I were to come back to Bob San try not to order the same blah tasting rolls. The one highlight of the meal was what my sister who came in from out of town ordered - The Black Cod with miso. Now that was good. I so wish that I'd ordered that for my meal. I'm willing to give the place another try one day but probably not for a while or only if I'm with friends who specifically request Bob San. I'd rather got to Blu Coral, Blue Fin, or Coast, or another half dozen or so sushi places that I've enjoyed more before returning to Bob San.

andy b.

This is my favorite sushi in chicago. As a matter of fact i never would eat sushi until i came here. The reason its so good is that it is always good. It is very consistent and always fresh and never "fishy". The price is ok for sushi place and the staff are friendly and really get to know the customers. Try the tak ee don with spicy mayonase sause.

Crystal P.

Just ok. Not impressed. Pricey for what you get and Insulted by the minium order per person printed on the menu. With that fact alone it is not good for big groups.

Jonathan C.

One of my favorite sushi places in Chicago. Despite the influx of very good sushi to the area, Bob San still does very well for itself, which should tell you something. The house is usually busy, but service remains very good. I enjoy the chirashi myself, but i mostly only eat sashimi since I adore fish, the fancy schmantsy rolls and stuff don't do it for me anymore. This is probably why Bob San remains my favorite place, the do the basics stuff very well. All sushi, maki, and Sashimi are well made and very tasty. Sushi doesn't need crazy decorations and elaborite presentation or lound music. It just needs to be good. Bob San serves good sushi. Prices are avg for a nice sushi place, which means they are kind of high. But if you eat out sushi, you know what you are getting into. Parking is kind of rough in this neighborhood now.

Emerson C.

Came here one evening to eat with friends and family. This place was super crowded. It felt very cramp even when waiting. Luckily for me, I already started drinking and I kinda stopped paying attention after awhile. We ordered a wide variety of makimonos and temaki and some of the fish was fresh, and some were so so. I can say that one of the rolls reminded me of the target sushi that's usually available everyday at super target. BOGUS... The Bob San and the Giant Roll made up for the previous rolls. Maybe I'll have to try it again when it's a bit less busy. I'm going to excuse them this time since it was pretty busy that evening.

Martha Z.

2 words "HOUSE CRUNCH" you have to get it, even the nonsushiers dig it. This is the first sushi restaurant that I tried way back in the day. They set the bar rather high. Very neat atmosphere. You feel like a king or queen with all the attention you get from the staff. Stuff that I like; beef wrapped asparagus, tempura, fire dragon, house crunch (duh) and the fresh sake sushi.

Caitlin O.

By far the best sushi I've managed to find in the Midwest. The owner is a fantastically friendly person to boot - if you want to know what to order, just ask him. He'll tell you what's fresh that day. I couldn't get enough of the ultra white tuna last time. The unagi in particular is also an excellent choice - if you're into that - it's served warm, fresh and crispy (and once you've had it, you'll realize how soggy the rest of the eel you've been served really is - yuck!). The ama ebi (sweet shrimp) will, of course, be served with the tempura-battered head upon request - and I highly reccomend it for the adventurous (a rather peanutty taste). The shiitake appetizer served in butter is delicious and the miso glazed salmon is rather outstanding as well. I can't reccomend them strongly enough - slightly more expensive than the average bar, but the food is well worth the price difference. I stray away from the cocktails there, though - well made but a bit on the expensive side and it can really boost the price of your dinner if you're trying not to break the pocketbook. My favorite. I'll be back!

Lisa H.

This place is amazing, especially the pan fried scallop this dish is very unique and I haven't had one that can even compare and black cod with miso is just phenomenal typing this right now just make me drool. The only down side is for the past year the quality has gone down a bit not as good as before so I think maybe the chef has changed or something. Overall one of my favorite place to go because the unique selection they have.

Mae W.

My fail safe sushi restaurant. A friend and I braved Mirai one dark and stormy night a few weeks ago and left with tails between legs after 5 minutes of menu perusal and being eyed disdainfully by the waitstaff. I had read the reviews saying they were snooty but jeez! We told our waiter that it wasn't what we were looking for and ran down the street laughing like we'd just pranked the neighbors. It was such a relief to see Bob's large, well-priced laminated menu after Mirai's limited fancy-pants one! My love for this dependable and welcoming dining establishment has deepened.

Michelle R.

I love sushi but I didn't know I could love it as much as i love Bob San sushi! Everything is fresh and amazing! I love the rainbow roll!

Melissa H.

Ok so I am trying so hard to like sushi.........the rolls I can do but the real thing is a bit harder for me to adjust to. In any case, I still enjoy going to sushi restaurants, and so I visited Bob San's. I thought the House Crunch roll was terrific........but the only thing is the mayonnaise. I hate it when restaurants put mayonnaise in their rolls..it just doesn't make sense to me at all. The atmosphere here is great, but it is just a little over priced I think.

Johnny A.

Let me start by freely admitting, I am a sushi novice. I am sensitive towards eating fish and strange foods. That said, I have really enjoyed many sushi meals to date, but this one was only okay and I probably won't return. I didn't get that fresh feeling from the food. It also seemed like everything was mushy. There was no variation in texture, even with cucumbers and what not. It just didn't do it for me...

Jeff F.

My girlfriend loved this place, so when she wanted to introduce me to it I was excited. Sadly, this place missed the mark and had too many errors/problems to warrant any kind of reccomendation. When we arrived, they were busy and we were happy to wait at the bar. When we were seated, we waited close to 15 minutes before anyone approached our table. When the waitress did come, she spoke way too quietly for us to hear and didn't try to sell us cocktails (we wanted more, but she didn't seem to be interested). The place had several burnt out lightbulbs ( a personal pet peeve - it's about attention to detail and burned out bulbs are never a sign of a well run restaurant) and we were served food on chipped dishes. The sushi itself wasn't bad, if not sloppily prepared. The appetizer, which is my GF's favorite, was not only sloppy in presentation, but had no consistency. Some pieces were too small to be considered reasonable and others were so big that they weren't fully cooked (this was some sort of scallop dish). Sauce was sloppily applied to the dish and it looked like no one cared much what you thought about that aspect of the cuisine. Now I'm no perfectionist, but if I'm going to pay a premium for food, I expect it to be prepared with careful artistry to some degree. Instead, virtually everything was wrong - the plates were cracked or chipped, the glass was cracked, the food was inconsistent, and the server was clueless. It seems like the only qualification they cared about in their servers were that they were asian and skinny. We figured out that the waitress left at least $30 in missed opportunities at table side by not asking if we wanted more wine/cocktails/beer/dessert and loads of tip money by ignoring us for the first 15 minutes and then never coming back to see how our food was until after we had finished it. The decor is interesting, if not a little weird, but all of that was lost on us when we started noticing that certain things were sloppy. The owners clearly spent a lot of money on decor. So why serve on broken plates? Why not hold your kitchen to a higher standard? Why not train your staff to be fast, courteous, and offer drinks and dessert? But the absolute worst complaint? The bathroom. Now I never mention bathrooms because, quite frankly, I don't care much about them. But this was exceptionally bad. First of all, there was paper everywhere - on the floor, on the sink, next to the trash, etc. Secondly, the music (which I hadn't noticed until then to be trashy euro trance) was quiet in the dining room and absolutely blaring in the bathroom. It was, to say the least, ridiculously loud in there. After just a few minutes in there, I felt a headache coming on. Attention to detail is the mark of a true gem. You can get by without it, but you'd better have exceptional food or exceptional prices. This place had none of the above. I would not recommend going here until and unless the owner does some work. I won't be back for a while after that experience. Two people should get more/better for the price we paid.

Shannon S.

Some of the best sushi I have had in a while. We started with the Asparagus Beef which was amazing. Then we ordered the Creamy Scallops, House Crunch (my favorite!), the philidelphia, and the spicy tuna. Everything was very fresh. Really nice atmosphere. I will definitely be back.

Pam S.

Dog Owners Beware. They are not a fan of dogs here (in their outdoor patio area unlike every other restaurant I have been to to date in the city). We waited 45 minutes only to be told as we were being seated that their license did not allow them to have dogs in their patio area. I read their license agreement which did not state anything about dogs not being allowed and questioned them about this and they agreed they lied but that they found it 'unsanitary' to have dogs sitting outside. What I found more unsanitary was the conditions in which they kept their outdoor facility. There were crumpled up dirty napkins everywhere that blew from table to table with the wind and countless used/dirty toothpicks everywhere. I will not go back here. I can get better service at McDonald's.

mary b.

This place is for people who like over-flavored, mayonnaised filled rolls that leave no room to taste the quality of the fish. Everytime I have come here the sushi rolls are so overdone in sauces and mayonnaise that it is basically like eating rice with mayonnaise, chili sauce, or fried soy sauce. I also got sick here last night. Had the house crunch which was pretty much a deep-fried roll of shrimp (oh and they dont serve wasabi with some of their rolls, what is up with that?) We were still hungry to decided to try their tofu dish which essentially was just deep-fried tofu with a very weird side bowl of fish skin flakes. No delicious soy-sauce or dipping sauce, just deeply-breaded and deeply fried tofu-what the hell is japanese about this? Coast or Mirai much much better sushi and th quality and deisgn of their rolls allows you to actually taste the fish not such rice slathered in some articfical sauce. Dont plan to return to Bob San again, the sushi is bad.

bernadette b.

the fish is deliciously fresh. the hamachi and white tune fall apart in your mouth. there are no little stringy surprises and it always smells and tastes just perfect. i have travelled around the world in search of pieces this good and have only found 2 others that even come close. for appetizers, try the beef asperagus, the scallops and the white tuna sashimi jalapeno. the spicy white tuna crunch, house crunch and the mayo spicy ebi are two of my favorites. if you are the adventurous type, try the uni shooter: sea urchin sex organs mixed with fish roe, a quail egg, some sauce and some saki....it looks like a small biology experiment, but it is amazingly delicious!

Vanessa P.

Very laidback, lounge-y dining area. The food we had was great. I had the house crunch and an unagi roll. I liked the house crunch much better than the unagi roll, which I usually love. I also had a piece of the "bagel" roll, which has cream cheese and salmon in it. You'd never think to put cream cheese in a maki roll, but it was suprisingly good.

Karen L.

Good sushi at reasonable prices. I wouldn't say the sushi is the best that I have had, but for the price it is a good place to try. The atmosphere is more casual than trendy and it is relaxed. I would recommend the House Crunch roll and the spider roll.

Stella S.

Yummy! Love the house crunch and that spicy mayo stuff!! Oh and the spinach appetizer is sooo good...it has this really good sauce! I love sushi, and this is one of my favorite places, you leave satisfied but not wanting to explode!

Zachary A.

it didn't totally suck, but either chicago has bad sushi all around or the other chitown yelpers have no taste, because based on their reviews i went here and was supremely underwhelmed. The service was quick, but when we truthfully answered her question of how our meal was (mediocre at best, nearly bad, honestly) she got all snippy and defensive and asked us if we had ever eaten japanese food before. "Well," my girlfriend replied, "I grew up in Hawaii." Nevermind we ordered everything in Japanese, The oysters were sub-par New England muckies, the tuna was sliced too thin for sashimi, and the seaweed was too fresh (to a fault). And the rice was moist. who wants loose sticky rice? Highly disapointing. The gyoza were good, though. I will not return here unless every other sushi place in town is worse, which will be quite a feat since i usually eat sashimi.

Sara P.

This is our favorite neighborhood sushi spot. Maybe it is just the House Crunch and the great times we have here, but we always have a great time. The restaurant has a great vibe and decore in our favorite part of town ... definitely a good start for a girls night out or else a catch up dinner on sunday nights with friends. Well priced for what it is and an interesting crowd to watch. Also, we have always had great luck getting a table here and cant wait to try their outside seating for summer.

Allison K.

Great place to get sushi! Just like others have said their "house crunch" is awesome. No other sushi place that I have been to has had an entry as tasty as this. Besides the "house crunch" every other type of sushi I have had here is just as great. Every time I have been here the sushi has tasted very fresh, without ever having a "fishy taste" to it. They also have unique types of deserts that you should try too.

K J.

They have a great bar with pleasant bartenders if you're just stopping in for a drink. Everything on the menu is simply delicious. If ordering spicy you have the option of chili or mayo. I recommend chili!

Nikki L.

I've been here a handful of times. All my experiences have met expectations, however tonight was such a disappointment. This night was one disaster after another. First of all, when I asked for a drink menu I was told there was a full bar, but not offered the menu right away. Then when I placed the drink order, there was a fly in my drink! I asked her to replace it with a stoli French and when that drink came back the color was way off, not enough Chambord. (im a bartender, so I'm very particular about my drinks) We ordered our sushi rolls and they were coming out relatively quick however they forgot to bring our last roll. While waiting, I went to the washroom only to discover there were paper towels all over the floor and water splashed on the sink counter. Hmm, if the bathroom is this dirty and unkempt I can't imagine what the kitchen looks like! To top it off, the manager didn't look like she knew what she was doing walking around in hot pink pumps (who wears high heels working in restaurants?...that's a HUGE NO NO) nor did she acknowledge our fly problem. All in all, I will not be going back there anytime soon.

david b.

love sitting outside here. .. ..

Kurt O.

If I were still single, this would probably be my first date place. Bob San has been open a few years, so it no longer gets that "lets go cause its cool and new" crowd, but it does still manage to draw enough "beautiful" people to impress a date, while also drawing on the diversity of the locals for the real flavor. As far as the food goes, the House Crunch and Bob San hand roll are my favorites. My only criticism is that all of their 'spicy' stuff is basically doused in Tabasco. Nothin' wrong with Tabasco, but how about some different flavors? And with Mirai down the street (although at a higher price point), you gotta reprasent! Ya-so-ma-say!

Zachary A.

it didn't totally suck, but either chicago has bad sushi all around or the other chitown yelpers have no taste, because based on their reviews i went here and was supremely underwhelmed. The service was quick, but when we truthfully answered her question of how our meal was (mediocre at best, nearly bad, honestly) she got all snippy and defensive and asked us if we had ever eaten japanese food before. "Well," my girlfriend replied, "I grew up in Hawaii." Nevermind we ordered everything in Japanese, The oysters were sub-par New England muckies, the tuna was sliced too thin for sashimi, and the seaweed was too fresh (to a fault). And the rice was moist. who wants loose sticky rice? Highly disapointing. The gyoza were good, though. I will not return here unless every other sushi place in town is worse, which will be quite a feat since i usually eat sashimi.

Sara P.

This is our favorite neighborhood sushi spot. Maybe it is just the House Crunch and the great times we have here, but we always have a great time. The restaurant has a great vibe and decore in our favorite part of town ... definitely a good start for a girls night out or else a catch up dinner on sunday nights with friends. Well priced for what it is and an interesting crowd to watch. Also, we have always had great luck getting a table here and cant wait to try their outside seating for summer.

Allison K.

Great place to get sushi! Just like others have said their "house crunch" is awesome. No other sushi place that I have been to has had an entry as tasty as this. Besides the "house crunch" every other type of sushi I have had here is just as great. Every time I have been here the sushi has tasted very fresh, without ever having a "fishy taste" to it. They also have unique types of deserts that you should try too.

K J.

They have a great bar with pleasant bartenders if you're just stopping in for a drink. Everything on the menu is simply delicious. If ordering spicy you have the option of chili or mayo. I recommend chili!

Julie H.

Meh... Bob San is really mediocre. On one hand, I really like how when you order something "spicy," you have the choice of spicy mayo (normal) or spicy chili, like sriracha sauce (awesome). Oh, I'm pretty sure I just butchered the spelling of sriracha. I also like the sliced oranges you get at the end of the meal. However, I really can't stand when restaurants won't seat your party until everyone has arrived. And its a Wednesday night. And the restaurant isn't very busy. Really? Why? Can someone please explain this rule? Also, the service and decor are fair, at best. It's great having a sushi place at the end of my block (literally), but otherwise I probably wouldn't make a special trip to Bob San...

Christina H.

OK, I am not as descriptive as the other reviewers on yelp, so I'll make this short and sweet. Bob Sans is my favorite place for sushi in the Wicker Park area!!! Everything I've ever ordered is fantastic! Their shrimp tempura is mouth watering :D Just be warned to make reservations on a Friday or Saturday night because they fill up quick and the wait can be long.

min. r.

I've lived here for 3 years, and finally tried Bob San. I don't know how I went this long, but I'm upset about the whole situation. Went to the Do-Division fest tonight and walked by it - it seemed like fate, and in we went! Since we wanted to see a band that started in 30 minutes, we didn't have much time. Greeted by the chipper girl at the door she told us to sit at the bar to get a drink and decide what we wanted to order. I got a salmon skin hand roll to eat at the bar while my takeout was being prepared, the boyfriend got a beer. The salmon skin was the perfect balance between crunchy and moist, bite size pieces that were wonderful. The seaweed was crunchy, but the chef laid it down on a plate, so the back wasn't. For takeout I grabbed a roll (Passion?) of salmon, avocado, cucumber, and salmon roe; a piece of maguro tuna, and a piece of their super white tuna to go. We went outside and walked the 1 block to the stage, I sat down and ate my new-found treats while enjoying the music. The salmon was fresh and refreshing. The roll was huge and wonderful. The maguro was great. An almost perfect piece of tuna. Then there's the super white... oh. my. god. I'd go back and order a meal of just that if I lived closer. Outstanding. Instead I'll just go back soon, and try tons of other things on their good looking menu. They're still undergoing renovations, so I'll leave any comments about the decor until they're done. I will say that the bartender could be a bit better at his service abilities. Had to wait for my water, as well as ask for a soy sauce dish. Oh well. I'm sure when I go back, and sit at the sushi bar (and it will be soon!) neither will be an issue. After 3 years here I'm still looking for a sushi bar to call home. Bob San is the first one that comes close. It's also one of the few I'd even want to try again. EDIT: It's just as wonderful when you sit there and eat an entire meal. Attentive staff, even in a crowded room, and deliciously fresh fish. I'm hungry just thinking about it. Too bad today is Thanksgiving and I'm having turkey later. :(

Nana H.

I am a bob san regular. My boyfriend used to live down the street and we could be found having a late dinner here, almost twice a week. I am friends with bob, and alan and we always sit at the sushi bar because we like to chat! The food is excellent- as everyone as reported. But i think the most special thing at bob san is bob and alan! If you sit at the bar- they will guide to what is the freshest of the night, and create special rolls just for you! Not only are they great to have a fun chat with, i think they pay special attention to you if you sit right at the bar. Our favorite are the seared scallops for appetizers, uni sushi when it's recommended, and super white tuna! They are expanding their restaurant to be almost double in size soon, and which is why i think they've slightly raised the prices. Bob also owns Naniwa, in the loop, another great alternative when you arent in the neighborhood.

Edward H.

This is a nice place for Bucktown/Wicker Park residents due to its proximity. The fish is fresh and the atmosphere is fun and upbeat. There isn't really anything too crazy about their fare but their jalapeno sashimi's are really great. Parking doesn't seem to be too bad around the area and service is attentive. This is a great place to introduce would-be sushi fans to.

ali a.

I went here and didnt even get to eat. The hostess and the bartender were extremely rude. We had a reservation that we ended up changing to include one more person and they did not accommodate us. They made us wait for a long time and were just rude. We ended up going to mirai instead and had a fabulous meal. Maybe if I get to try the food next time I will write a better review, but after the way I was treated, I don't know if I want to go back.

Cat B.

This place is delicious! I love Escolar pieces and this place has some of the best I have had. I was also impressed with the hamachi pieces as well. The sushi just fell apart and melted away in your mouth...YUM! They also have a wide range of rolls. The crabby dragon roll is highly recommended. Even the simpler ones are delicious. I had the passion, which is salmon, avocado, cucumber,etc. very basic, and it was delicious. You could really taste the quality of the salmon. You can tell a great sushi place when they don't need to dress up their rolls with a bunch of sauces and other fluff to mask that the fish is only mediocre. The fish here is top quality. The space is nicely decorated, but it is a bit open for my tastes. Evidently, it used to be more sectioned off and I think I would have preferred that. I don't need to be able to see the entire room when I dine. The service was excellent!! I was starving, and my friend Jim asked the waitress if we could get edamame and seaweed salad immediately, joking that I might bite his head off (those of you who know me when I am hungry, know what he is talking about) and then shortly we had our food. There was no rush to order all at once and everything came out in the right order. We weren't struggling to fit the sushi on the table because we hadn't finished our appetizers like other places I have dined. The price was good too. The only problem I had was the bathrooms need to be updated a little bit, but that factor has no effect on my rating given the quality of the food and service.

Lindley E.

Sushi gone average in Bucktown. I've eaten there twice now and I still am not impressed. Menu of standard rolls and nigiri sushi will please lovers of raw fish. Stay away from hot plates -- if you come to Bob San, stick with what they do best and avoid ordering kitchen-made hot foods (including a plain bowl of rice) at all costs. Sushi is pretty tasty, but still only registers as average in my book.

Sarah F.

Fabulous decor. It is the kind of place where I just wanted to wonder around before being seated. The fish is great, lots of different types of rolls to choose from including the really fancy combo rolls. The outdoor seating is nice, but can be a bit noisy.

T S.

I live in the neighborhood, and Bob San is like a comfortable old pair of jeans. I always know what to expect, no surprises. I also like the atmosphere there, good lighting, nice decor, fun to people watch and sit outside on nice days. My favorite dishes are the pan seared scallops for an appetizer, and the House crunch sushi roll. It is a bit over-priced, but not so much that I won't go there. If I want more imaginative, yet $$$ sushi, I head to Mirai. If I want cheap, untrustworthy sushi, I head to that other place on the street. I'm glad I have this option in the hood.

Jelly C.

I'm really really really dissapointed. The family and I have been in sushi mode lately. Since we never tried Bob San, I thought it would be a nice place to go. After all, my fellow yelpers did praise about it. We went on a Tuesday night so I was surprised to see that the restaurant had a good number of customers on a weekday. The decor was loungy and the out door patio is nice for the warm summer nights. Our waiter was friendly and suggested a few of their popular dishes. I'm bummed about the menus. they're short and a bit boring. They have the standard dragon and rainbow rolls and less than a handful other ones. Sure their appetizer list was long but they didn't have too many hot or noodle dishes (udon, yakisoba)... We ordered a sashimi appetizer with ponzu sauce. It was ok but the fish was pretty mcuh marinated in the ponzu. The taste of the salmon and white tuna were completely overwhelmed. It probably would'be been better if we could dip it ourselves. Oyster shooters that were good. but nothing compared to the quality and sai cafe. We orderd the beef wrapped asparagus. The beef was crazy chewy. They should've used a differnt type of meat. Something a little more fatty so it doesnt seem like we're eating beef jerky. And the dish was drenched in terryaki sauce. We had the pan fried scallops. Too salty and again drenched in sauce. We ordered the spicey tuna roll, dragon roll, bob san roll, and soft shell crab roll. The rolls came out lookin sloppy. bummer. All the rolls were very mediocre. Nothing worth trying here. Also order a few pieces of uni... although there was a generous amount of uni, the uni wasnt too fresh. We paid about 260 ish for 4 people and I wouldn't have minded if the food and presentation were better. For that money I would go over to Sai Cafe and enjoy dinner there.

Philip N.

Just came back from dinner at Bob San. FRESH. Fresh. Fresh. Short of Nobu in New York (which is by far the best sushi type restaurant that I've ever eaten in), Bob San is a real find in Chicago. Appreciate that I can make a reservation and be seated when I arrive. The service is cordial without be pretentious. The restaurant is attractive and you can sort of hear a conversation even when the room is full. The sushi is terrific. They have a lot of variety and some interesting, different combinations. The white white tuna was wonder with a jalapeno on top to add a little kick. Also liked the Japanese pumpkin and Japanese eggplant tempera...with panko breadcrumb crust, really tasty. The seaweed salad was also good. I like Sushi Wabi but think that this place is more approachable.

John W.

The Smoked Dragon was killer. My Girlfriend had some of the straight Salmon and said it was great. Otherwise, everything else was good but not great. The hot stuff really wasn't all that hot. If I am in that area and want Sushi I would prefer Coast.

Adriana S.

My favorite sushi restaurant. The chefs are nice and will happily recommend things to you. The fish is fresh. My favoirte items are: seaweed salad, crunchy vegetable, and spicy tuna. I highly recommend this place.

Matt W.

Really top-notch sushi. Great selection and very good service for the right price.

Julianna M.

Bob San is not for people who only want to eat rolls that have 17 ingredients and are smothered in eel sauce and wasabi mayo. Yes, there's a place for mega-maki but Bob San is more focused on uber fresh fish, treated with reverence and served simply--albeit it a slightly trendy setting. The pan fried scallops are a tremendous starter to share with a group--several scallops pounded flat then sauteed with lemon butter and soy--sounds boring but is so much more than the sum of its parts. If you want the best experience cozy up to the sushi bar and leave yourself in the very capable hands of the sushi chefs--just ask them what's best that day and you'll be sure to have an oustanding experience. Location is great for a small party or a pre-going-out gathering. Not as much scene here as Mirai down the street but portions and prices are much more reasonable as well. You can feel comfortable schlumping in here in a sweatshirt and jeans on a bad day or dressed to the nines.

Josh ..

I always like this place. Great quality sushi and I just love the 'spicy sauce' you can get on top of items. Very little to complain about. Top notch.

Derek S.

bob san's a great option in the division strip for sushi. the spider roll is really good, and the octopus appetizer is great too...i save the extra cukes i had just because the rice vinegrette was so tasty. i wasn't impressed with the chili white tuna roll; it was mushy and just didn't really do much but dissolve and leave a tangy aftertaste. the yellowtail roll was yummy....fresh fish and the perfect texture, temperature, and size. i recommend highly for a quick bite or take out. ps. over a year ago i had the scallop appetizer and it was amazing...i'm not sure they still prepare it the same way, but if they're charging $12 for it then it better still be as good as i remember.

Lee-Han H.

great sushi and if you're into that raw stuff go here..I mean it! Other than that they have everything for everyone so you will enjoy going here!

Foodie A.

We had a reservation for a party of 7 and 5 of us arrived so far. We wanted to get seated. The hostess then wanted to make sure that we have a party of 7, if not, there would be a seating charge. (Seating charge? Never encountered this before! Fine.) Yes, we have a party of 7. Table seatings are elbow to elbow. It's my second visit here with the unmemorable first. Service was ok. For price and taste, at this time, nobody beats House of Sushi and Noodles.

Carrie B.

Friendly service, fresh sushi, great edamame, and a nice trendy ambiance. Even the garden salad with ginger dressing was very tasty. There is enough variety on the menu to satisfy anyone, even non-sushi people. The shitakke marinated mushroom vegetarian rolls were great, too. (I would have liked to sit outside, but it was too packed- but we were seated in a nice booth near the outside)

Yujin A.

I drove all the way here from Lakeview to try their food. I wasn't too impressed personally. Perhaps I am spoiled by good sushi places in LV, LP, and downtown. I had a maki roll with white tuna, Unigi don(broiled eel with rice). I had about 6 pieces of eel for 20 bucks. My Unagi was overcooked and overly fishy. My friend had chicken teriyaki, which was very unsatisfying. It seemed like they poured teriyaki sauce over steamed chicken breast. Quite honestly, it was the worst chicken teriyaki i've tasted. Do NOT get their teriyaki dishes. My other friend had one of their specialties, raw squid in their spicy house sauce. I personally thought their sushi itself was decent. Fresh! But when it comes down to the price, I felt like it wasn't worth the money. Not that this is a super expensive place to eat, but I can do much better in sushi places in other neighborhoods. The restaurant has a nice ambiance and decent service. All three of us left the restaurant unsatisfied. I probably would not go back there. Overall their raw stuff was much better than their cooked dishes.

Jason K.

This restaurant was pretty good. The miso soup was great, but the tempura batter was more like bread crumbs than anything else. The wait staff was attentive, but the place was far too loud. Otherwise, there was a pretty good ambiance.

Ahna P.

overall--food was excellent! Was in Chicago for work, went to Bob-san based on the other reviews. We were a group of four with a 6:30 reservation on a Tuesday night. The only complaint i have is about our waitress. One person in our group was doing the roll ordering. We are 4 very hungry travelers mind you! We put in an order for 6 of their menu rolls, and ask the waitress if she had any other recommendations (besides house crunch).....and she told us that was enough food, as in dont order any more. so we devour our rolls, order 4 more (i know, total pigs right?) and she actually rolled her eyes it total disgust and took our menu away....WTF? Anyway--food great. I've never had a waitress refuse to serve more food! Maybe they were running out!

Leigh K.

The veggie crunch roll at Bob San is seriously one of the best things I have ever eaten. Since I live right down the street, sometimes I will get carryout from here and there is no compromise of taste quality by the time I get home. There is an appetizer here; a sort of mushroom salad, which is quite delicious. The wait staff is knowledgable and patient, so if you're new to sushi I'm sure they could answer your questions.

Zack M.

Do not get me wrong, I love Bob San sushi. I think it is some of the freshest in Chicago. The pan fried scallops are the greatest thing in the free world. The covered outdoor area is great as well. However, I feel that the service is a mess and it is very hectic inside. On one occasion they did not properly get our reservation in and on another two servers kept forgetting if they were helping our table but then neither would bring what I asked for. The scallops were ridiculously delicious....

Jessica C.

This is a really cute sushi restaurant. The atmosphere and decor is great. The times I've gone have been with large groups, so we'd have to wait a bit before getting seated, but it's definitely worth the wait! Their specialty rolls are superb :o)....plus parking isn't too bad either

Leang E.

You can actually make reservations at this place. I was waiting for my blind date as it was also a double date at the bar. My coworker and I had a Mango Sour Martini, and it was not so great. It tasted like cough medicine. They are expanding the restaurant and acquiring the building next to them. We had plenty of appetizers. I felt that the mizo soup was missing some seaweed or something that I was used to seeing, but it was still very good. They have these flattened scallops that are quite delicious. My date mentioned that he had never seen them at any other sushi place. We also munched on some edamame and drank some cool sake. We ordered 6 makis that were all very good. I was looking to for more original Bob San makis or creations, and didn't see too many different from other places. I hear that the sashimi is really good here, but we didn't have any. We finished off the meal with a mochi ball, which was also really good. Our waitress took a while to get over to our table, but we weren't really in a hurry either.

MIA F.

I dare anyone to give a bad review after eating the house crunch....I seriously craze this stuff. I go here at least twice a month and I am NEVER disappointed!

elizabeth n.

Bob San is one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Chicago. This Wicker Park sushi place has amazing sushi and is relatively inexpensive. The decor is simple yet trendy and the food is great. If you aren't a sushi lover they have a full menu and the teriyaki steak is delicious. The service is good, the food is great, and I definitely recommend you try it!

Maria G.

now thats what I call fresh fish! by far the best sushi in Chicago.

kiki h.

Bob san is a fabulous atmosphere and really does have the best sushi! It's so fresh and I like their special rolls more than any other rolls at any other sushi restaurant. Service is good, but they get busy so call ahead for reservations.

Ronald L.

I heard all this hype about this place and how AWESOME it is. I have to strongly disagree. The floor staff were mediocre at best. It was pretty crowded though, so I won't fault them for that. Now the food... I love seafood.. especially when served raw on seasoned rice. I usually order chirashi sushi since it's a nice assemblage of the most common fish on the menu and gives you a fairly broad range with which to judge the quality and freshness of the seafood that the restaurant boasts. ow and behold... i have never come upon a sushi restaurant that does not offer chirashi. Is this some sort of oversight or just sloth ont he part of the chefs? When i politely asked my waitress if they could make one she immediately (and quite rudely) shot me down with a plaintive 'no" which annoyed me. Now on to the actual quality of the food. BLOODY EXPENSIVE! Ridiculously priced menu for what you get. When you have sushi, it should be room temperature, not cold and certainly not warm. The rice was hot! Pretty disgusting... and SWEET! Sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar, a little sugar and salt. This stuff tasted it was meant to go into a rice pudding. I was pretty pissed about this fact. Never going back there again.

chris c.

reasonable price and good solid flavors. convenient carry out.

erika s.

i've been to this place a few times now. it's got way too much competition to be in the game at this level. i really don't understand how it's still in business as mirai is down the street and at least 2 other sushi places are in a half mile distance. i always get sashimi to just have the plain fish to judge from, and their fish just isn't that fresh. it's not awful, but it's not stellar either. for the price in the current economy i don't think it's worth it. the presentation isn't anything to write home about--which seems weird for a sushi restaurant. i think the real deal sealer here is their oysters. i'm a huge fan of oysters. i got the oyster salad once and it looked like a horror movie--taste not much better. for some (un)bright idea i got the oyster shooter this last time. there was something definitely wrong with the oyster. i didn't get sick, but it was HORRIFIC. seriously guys you shouldn't be serving that. awful.

erin g.

very fun to sit at the sushi bar here, love the scallop hand roll.

chris b.

Grat atmosphere and decent prices ... one of the best sushi places I have been to in the city. Definitely a must go to place!

Nikki L.

I've been here a handful of times. All my experiences have met expectations, however tonight was such a disappointment. This night was one disaster after another. First of all, when I asked for a drink menu I was told there was a full bar, but not offered the menu right away. Then when I placed the drink order, there was a fly in my drink! I asked her to replace it with a stoli French and when that drink came back the color was way off, not enough Chambord. (im a bartender, so I'm very particular about my drinks) We ordered our sushi rolls and they were coming out relatively quick however they forgot to bring our last roll. While waiting, I went to the washroom only to discover there were paper towels all over the floor and water splashed on the sink counter. Hmm, if the bathroom is this dirty and unkempt I can't imagine what the kitchen looks like! To top it off, the manager didn't look like she knew what she was doing walking around in hot pink pumps (who wears high heels working in restaurants?...that's a HUGE NO NO) nor did she acknowledge our fly problem. All in all, I will not be going back there anytime soon.

david b.

love sitting outside here. .. ..

Kurt O.

If I were still single, this would probably be my first date place. Bob San has been open a few years, so it no longer gets that "lets go cause its cool and new" crowd, but it does still manage to draw enough "beautiful" people to impress a date, while also drawing on the diversity of the locals for the real flavor. As far as the food goes, the House Crunch and Bob San hand roll are my favorites. My only criticism is that all of their 'spicy' stuff is basically doused in Tabasco. Nothin' wrong with Tabasco, but how about some different flavors? And with Mirai down the street (although at a higher price point), you gotta reprasent! Ya-so-ma-say!

Olivia R.

If you haven't tried Bob San's sushi yet you are missing out. I had dinner here last night with some friends for the first time and was impressed with both the sushi and the service. We ordered many rolls and everything was good, but we also ordered a miso cod entree that was out of this world. This restaurant was suprisingly crowded for a Tuesday night so make reservations before heading there.

Jackie K.

Bob San is one of my favorite sushi places in the city. The decor is loungey and sophisticated, but not overly hip as to be intimidating. The House Crunch roll is one of my top three favorite rolls ever. And the scallop appetizer is fantastic. My only complaint is that the wait staff wasn't extremely helpful in picking out a sake, but admittedly I sometimes have a hard time conveying what it is I like.

Foodie A.

We had a reservation for a party of 7 and 5 of us arrived so far. We wanted to get seated. The hostess then wanted to make sure that we have a party of 7, if not, there would be a seating charge. (Seating charge? Never encountered this before! Fine.) Yes, we have a party of 7. Table seatings are elbow to elbow. It's my second visit here with the unmemorable first. Service was ok. For price and taste, at this time, nobody beats House of Sushi and Noodles.

Carrie B.

Friendly service, fresh sushi, great edamame, and a nice trendy ambiance. Even the garden salad with ginger dressing was very tasty. There is enough variety on the menu to satisfy anyone, even non-sushi people. The shitakke marinated mushroom vegetarian rolls were great, too. (I would have liked to sit outside, but it was too packed- but we were seated in a nice booth near the outside)

Yujin A.

I drove all the way here from Lakeview to try their food. I wasn't too impressed personally. Perhaps I am spoiled by good sushi places in LV, LP, and downtown. I had a maki roll with white tuna, Unigi don(broiled eel with rice). I had about 6 pieces of eel for 20 bucks. My Unagi was overcooked and overly fishy. My friend had chicken teriyaki, which was very unsatisfying. It seemed like they poured teriyaki sauce over steamed chicken breast. Quite honestly, it was the worst chicken teriyaki i've tasted. Do NOT get their teriyaki dishes. My other friend had one of their specialties, raw squid in their spicy house sauce. I personally thought their sushi itself was decent. Fresh! But when it comes down to the price, I felt like it wasn't worth the money. Not that this is a super expensive place to eat, but I can do much better in sushi places in other neighborhoods. The restaurant has a nice ambiance and decent service. All three of us left the restaurant unsatisfied. I probably would not go back there. Overall their raw stuff was much better than their cooked dishes.

Jason K.

This restaurant was pretty good. The miso soup was great, but the tempura batter was more like bread crumbs than anything else. The wait staff was attentive, but the place was far too loud. Otherwise, there was a pretty good ambiance.

Mark P.

Not bad for trendy sushi. Not as expensive as Mirai. But still not all that reasonable.

Brittany N.

Great sushi. Nice wine. Had an Albarino by the glass, which I was really happy about! Fun, trendy, lively nightlife vibe (on a Fri night at least). Place was a lot bigger than I thought with multiple nooks and rooms. Was completely hidden from the outside, and was really surprised to find such a hip, trendy place behind the door!

Ahna P.

overall--food was excellent! Was in Chicago for work, went to Bob-san based on the other reviews. We were a group of four with a 6:30 reservation on a Tuesday night. The only complaint i have is about our waitress. One person in our group was doing the roll ordering. We are 4 very hungry travelers mind you! We put in an order for 6 of their menu rolls, and ask the waitress if she had any other recommendations (besides house crunch).....and she told us that was enough food, as in dont order any more. so we devour our rolls, order 4 more (i know, total pigs right?) and she actually rolled her eyes it total disgust and took our menu away....WTF? Anyway--food great. I've never had a waitress refuse to serve more food! Maybe they were running out!

Leigh K.

The veggie crunch roll at Bob San is seriously one of the best things I have ever eaten. Since I live right down the street, sometimes I will get carryout from here and there is no compromise of taste quality by the time I get home. There is an appetizer here; a sort of mushroom salad, which is quite delicious. The wait staff is knowledgable and patient, so if you're new to sushi I'm sure they could answer your questions.

Zack M.

Do not get me wrong, I love Bob San sushi. I think it is some of the freshest in Chicago. The pan fried scallops are the greatest thing in the free world. The covered outdoor area is great as well. However, I feel that the service is a mess and it is very hectic inside. On one occasion they did not properly get our reservation in and on another two servers kept forgetting if they were helping our table but then neither would bring what I asked for. The scallops were ridiculously delicious....

Jessica C.

This is a really cute sushi restaurant. The atmosphere and decor is great. The times I've gone have been with large groups, so we'd have to wait a bit before getting seated, but it's definitely worth the wait! Their specialty rolls are superb :o)....plus parking isn't too bad either

Edward H.

This is a nice place for Bucktown/Wicker Park residents due to its proximity. The fish is fresh and the atmosphere is fun and upbeat. There isn't really anything too crazy about their fare but their jalapeno sashimi's are really great. Parking doesn't seem to be too bad around the area and service is attentive. This is a great place to introduce would-be sushi fans to.

Mindy S.

Another one of my favorites! The sushi is fantastic, the decor trendy and the service excellent! The house crunch roll and spicy tuna are both a must. The creamy scallop hand roll is unbelievable and I haven't been able to find anything like it anywhere else. The white tuna melts in your mouth, you have to try it! Yum!

J. C. G.

I love Bob San and her sister restaurant, Naniwa. Bob always gets the freshest fish and has the best sushi chefs. Don't go to Bob San if you want frou frou sushi stuff, this place is for your more basic sushi needs.

J V.

Pretty decent sushi. I wouldn't go over board and say it's amazing though like the other reivews or say it totally sucked.

Linda S.

Highly disappointed with my last sushi experience here. We chose this as my last meal in Chicago because we had such a great experience last time. We ordered several sushi rolls (spicy octopus, crabby dragon roll, holy mackerel, alaska rainbow roll) and the beef asparagus for an appetizer. Everything was falling apart and the fish was pretty much non-existent in all the rolls I ordered. We noticed similar problems with the owner's other restaurants, Sai Cafe and Naniwa, changes in the menu and unpredictable service/quality. It's too bad because the sushi was once amazing at these restaurants.

Sasha L.

OK i really enjoyed this place this is where i go when I'm alone and want to just sit in front of the chefs and watch them make me some great tasting food. i really do enjoy this place its one of those places you can walk in drop 50.00 and feel good about it when you walk out the door ......

Leang E.

You can actually make reservations at this place. I was waiting for my blind date as it was also a double date at the bar. My coworker and I had a Mango Sour Martini, and it was not so great. It tasted like cough medicine. They are expanding the restaurant and acquiring the building next to them. We had plenty of appetizers. I felt that the mizo soup was missing some seaweed or something that I was used to seeing, but it was still very good. They have these flattened scallops that are quite delicious. My date mentioned that he had never seen them at any other sushi place. We also munched on some edamame and drank some cool sake. We ordered 6 makis that were all very good. I was looking to for more original Bob San makis or creations, and didn't see too many different from other places. I hear that the sashimi is really good here, but we didn't have any. We finished off the meal with a mochi ball, which was also really good. Our waitress took a while to get over to our table, but we weren't really in a hurry either.

MIA F.

I dare anyone to give a bad review after eating the house crunch....I seriously craze this stuff. I go here at least twice a month and I am NEVER disappointed!

Ronald L.

I heard all this hype about this place and how AWESOME it is. I have to strongly disagree. The floor staff were mediocre at best. It was pretty crowded though, so I won't fault them for that. Now the food... I love seafood.. especially when served raw on seasoned rice. I usually order chirashi sushi since it's a nice assemblage of the most common fish on the menu and gives you a fairly broad range with which to judge the quality and freshness of the seafood that the restaurant boasts. ow and behold... i have never come upon a sushi restaurant that does not offer chirashi. Is this some sort of oversight or just sloth ont he part of the chefs? When i politely asked my waitress if they could make one she immediately (and quite rudely) shot me down with a plaintive 'no" which annoyed me. Now on to the actual quality of the food. BLOODY EXPENSIVE! Ridiculously priced menu for what you get. When you have sushi, it should be room temperature, not cold and certainly not warm. The rice was hot! Pretty disgusting... and SWEET! Sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar, a little sugar and salt. This stuff tasted it was meant to go into a rice pudding. I was pretty pissed about this fact. Never going back there again.

chris c.

reasonable price and good solid flavors. convenient carry out.

Madelyn H.

when i moved to chicago, i was told by a coworker in san francisco specifically to go to bob-san because it was the 'freshest fish he'd ever had'. i liked the sushi here, but have had better. we started with the seaweed salad, had some yellowtail sashimi, the unagi avocado roll and the chili spicy tuna crunch roll. all were good, but nothing out of this world. i'll definitely try again though because the sashimi was fairly fresh (my litmus test), the rolls were pretty tasty and the atmosphere is fun.

erika s.

i've been to this place a few times now. it's got way too much competition to be in the game at this level. i really don't understand how it's still in business as mirai is down the street and at least 2 other sushi places are in a half mile distance. i always get sashimi to just have the plain fish to judge from, and their fish just isn't that fresh. it's not awful, but it's not stellar either. for the price in the current economy i don't think it's worth it. the presentation isn't anything to write home about--which seems weird for a sushi restaurant. i think the real deal sealer here is their oysters. i'm a huge fan of oysters. i got the oyster salad once and it looked like a horror movie--taste not much better. for some (un)bright idea i got the oyster shooter this last time. there was something definitely wrong with the oyster. i didn't get sick, but it was HORRIFIC. seriously guys you shouldn't be serving that. awful.

erin g.

very fun to sit at the sushi bar here, love the scallop hand roll.

chris b.

Grat atmosphere and decent prices ... one of the best sushi places I have been to in the city. Definitely a must go to place!

elizabeth n.

Bob San is one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Chicago. This Wicker Park sushi place has amazing sushi and is relatively inexpensive. The decor is simple yet trendy and the food is great. If you aren't a sushi lover they have a full menu and the teriyaki steak is delicious. The service is good, the food is great, and I definitely recommend you try it!

Maria G.

now thats what I call fresh fish! by far the best sushi in Chicago.

kiki h.

Bob san is a fabulous atmosphere and really does have the best sushi! It's so fresh and I like their special rolls more than any other rolls at any other sushi restaurant. Service is good, but they get busy so call ahead for reservations.

Ashley W.

Mindy is right that the white tuna melts in your mouth. Bob San is one of my favorite sushi places...I personally think it's better than Marai which is right across the street. There are so many different rolls to choose from on the menu that I select something different everytime and I'm always satisfied. The atmosphere here is also very cute- a great place for a date!

Jas B.

Bob San has some of the most delectable and fresh sushi in town. The combo rolls, especially the rainbow roll, are absolutely fantastic! The decor is fairly trendy, service is on the whole very good, and the crowd is generally diverse . Although this isn't the priciest sushi joint around (but by no means cheap), it stands up really well to some of its pricier Wicker Park cousins such as Mirai. I've eaten there lots of times, and can't say i've ever had a bad experience. Bon appetit!

Carly M.

This is probably my favorite sushi place in the city, and I love coming here. They have the best sushi and their menu items- like steak and seafood dishes are fantastic as well. I love their crispy shrimp rolls, and they have excellent tuna rolls. It's reasonably priced too- we had 4 people there and our bill was $80 with 2 drinks/person. Not bad!

Nicolas H.

I'd been wanting to try Bob San for about a year now, unfortunately I could've waited another year and been just fine. I will say that the sushi itself was extremely fresh and tasty (especially the hamachi) and the rolls were decent as well. However, the service was so bad from the moment we sat down that it was hard to overlook. It took about 20 minutes before we got our menus. We were never served water until an hour later when I asked the busboy at the table next to us for it. When our waitress did take our order I inquired about the fish specials. She said they were all on the menu. I asked again, do you have Aji? Oh yes, they had Aji and one other special. OK, I'll have the Aji then. 10 minutes later she comes by and hands me a menu, apparently they were out of Aji. Our food came about 20 minutes later and that was the last we saw of that particular waitress for the remainder of our meal until she rudely dropped off the check before asking us if we wanted dessert. I might come back but only if I was guaranteed a seat at the sushi bar...

marc r.

One of the best sushi restaurants around - regardless if the rolls are sometime poorly made - the food is typically very fresh. Try going during the middle of the week - that is when all sushi restaurants get their shipments of food. Now about the service - its never the best. They need to hire some 'true' servers so this place really stands out. My #1 recommendation: Try the octopus salad - it really is very delicious. Its basically sliced octopus with cucumbers covered in their ginger sauce. My other #1 recommendation: If you like wasabi, you cannot forget the Wasabi Tobiko WITH quail egg. You wont be disappointed Bob San!.

lola d.

Listen up boys and girls, You have to try bob san. wooooooooooo that sushi is damn good! On my recent visit my sister and I tried the crunch roll for the first time and can I say that crunchy goodness was amazing or can I say it was f-----g amazing? The crunch roll is absolutely amazing. Oh wait, I already said that. After eating several crunchy rolls, shrimp gyozas and the lovely, lovely orange slice you get for finishing your food like the super fine kid you are, we left with big fat smiles on our faces. try it!

Virginie B.

I am sorry to read that some of you may have a bad experience... it happens! But I still convinced that it is a great restaurant. We love this place! It is by far the best sushi place in Chicago after NoMI (Park Hyatt Chicago Hotel). Their patio in summer is perfect for friend gathering or a special date. We even like to seat at the sushi bar and watch Bob San make sushi. The team is polite and helpful with the menu. I will recommend this restaurant to a friend.

jon s.

Good sushi in the hood for the price, though there are other places nearby that have better sushi for slightly more $$. Its a staple sushi place to me rather than a set destination. Cool kids warning: Trixie-and-Chad-packed on the weekends.

Lissa C.

Good vibe, nice decor, good sushi and good service. No complaint here.

Albert L.

A few friends and I went here last friday and all in all I was impressed. The quaility of the nigri pieces were phenomenal and would meet the standards of any west coast sushi connoisseur. The salmon and yellow tail tasted like no other. However it was disappointing that they had ran out of Uni and Toro, two of my favorites which is why I give this place 4 stars. The only roll I ate was the spicy tuna roll; it was just the perfect mix of spicy peppers, mayo, and tuna. Also I had ordered tempura which alloted you to pick and choose specific tempura pieces rather than just getting a plethra of crap you may not want to eat. (BTW, I would highly recommend the baby eggplant and shitaki mushroom) The atmosphere was just nice but not unique; the service was just okay. And since we went on friday night it was busy but I think that's always a good sign. Overall, I was impressed, however this place still doesn't top my favorite place Japonais.

Mike B.

Kicks ass... 'Nuff said...ok, not really. If you want swanky sushi, tasty cocktails, great service, and an awesome location for people watching in the warmer months... Run, do not walk, to Bob San. On the pricier side than many other sushi restaurants...but never have we been disappointed. Skip Rise...and head on over to get your fill at Bob San. And get the House Crunch roll...or the Beef Roll app. with perfectly cooked asparagus wrapped in thin layers of perfectly cooked and seasoned beef. YUM!

This is one of my favorite places to get sushi in Chicago. I usually like to make a nice night of it when I go over to Wicker Park and head out to the bars afterwards. Anything and everything I have ordered has been delicious. I'm really impressed with their edamame (I know, corny), but they seem to do a much better job than other places. Cooked perfectly. I HIGHLY recommend the black cod dish as an appetizerit's one of the most amazing things I've ever tasted. The spicy crunch roll, although the salmon is broiled is a perfect blend of spicy crunchy sushi goodness. In the summer there is a great patio that is perfect for hipster people watching. Make a reservation if it's the weekend, and try to get a table by the windows - it tends to get very noisy!

Bry H.

I went to Bob San on a Saturday night around 9:30 pm and had some of the best Sushi. It was packed, so I figured it would take a while to 1. get a table and, B. get some yummy sushi. I was wrong. I absolutely love sitting at the sushi bar because you can chat it up with the sushi chef and watch then cut the fish (which is pretty nice). And luckily there were seats at the sushi bar- score. Every piece of sushi we had was great. The flounder, & super white tuna were the best. The sushi chef was very friendly and joked around with us- it really made for a great late dinner. It took me a little while to realize who our Chef was... it was Bob. I kept staring at him, then I would look at the caricature of Bob on the wall, then look back at the chef, and finally he caught me and just said with a huge smile, that's me and chatted it up with my boyfriend and I. Great meal... looking forward to Bob making my dinner again!

Sophie D.

I've probably been here over a hundred times since moving to Chicago. I've been to Mirai, Japonais, Sushi Wabi, and many other top 20s. Each one has something to offer above and beyond Bob San, BUT Bob's is a little lower priced for your everyday sushi needs and has a few must-try items that are truly divine. they are: pan fried scallops asparagus beef super white tuna sashimi jalapeno (this is THE BEST! a plate of super whites in a citrus soy sauce w/ jalapeno on top. orgasmic) black cod with miso (holy shit, this is amazing!) super white tuna sushimi (i have NEVER had better super white tuna ANYWHERE. it's to die for here. try it by itself or in a roll or whatever, just try it) Toon also happens to be one of the greatest bartenders in town, sometimes bartending for the entire restaruant by himself on a Friday night, so my friends and I always eat up at the bar with him. I've been served only a handful of times by the waitresses in the restaurant area. I don't remember being terribly impressed, but I can't really speak to non-bar service. Bob's recently underwent some interior design changes. i have some thoughts on that. initially, I wonder why they needed to expand into the old Leo's. but what do i know? as for the interior decor choices, they remind me a bit of privates hanging from the ceiling. and the colors are suspiciously womb-like. i think i speak for everyone when i say i don't want to eat sushi while thinknig about privates. nevertheless, in the end it's all come together and kind of works.

Melissa T.

I had been hearing about Bob San, for what seem like, ages. So, based on the reviews, I decided that I wanted my birthday dinner to at Bob San. While we were able to sit outside, and our service was okay, the food was sub-par. The rolls we ordered were loose and practically taste less (I don't use soy sauce anymore, so I depend soley on what's in the roll) and the pieces I ordered were warm-ish and smelled "fishy". (Yes, yes, I know it's fish, but FRESH fish dosen't have pungent odor.) For the money that was paid and the hype surrounding it, I was very disappointed. I won't go back.

Laura R.

I was very surprised at how popular this place is, the decor looks a little junky but with no reservations I had to wait 45 minutes on a Wednesday night. As soon as we were seated (staff was all extremely friendly btw) and received our food I got what all the popularity is about- the crunchy vegetable is the best veggie sushi I've ever had. It's a mix of veggies, tempura, and spicy mayo with a tempura coating on the outside of the roll. Deeeelish! I also had some sort of seasoned squash roll which was very tasty. There aren't a ton of veg choices, but I like that they go beyond the standard avocado and cucumber. I'm taking one star off because of the price, the combo rolls were $7 which made for kind of a pricey dinner for vegetarian sushi. However they were totally worth it for the taste. I will definitely be back here in the future, but most likely for take-out. EDIT: I am upping my review to 5 stars because I was craving the veggie crunch roll so much that I ordered some take-out less than a week after going the first time!

Shirley A.

This is my favorite sushi place in the city. Great ambiance and service at reasonable prices. The fish they serve is always fresh. I would have to say the quality is very similar to Japonais and Sushi Samba but for a fraction of the price. Highly recommended.

Brett W.

The more I think about my meal at Bob San, the more I'm convinced they served us the display food rather than the actual product. That's how devoid of flavor my entire meal was. Now, I know this might come as a shock, but the best sushi in America is most likely in a little hole in the wall in Nashville, TN called Samurai Sushi. And that's not just me being a homer, it's the honest to god truth. The sushi at Samurai is bold and flavorful and inventive and beautiful! So I'm spoiled, I admit it. But Sushi doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be good. It just has to be competently created sushi. Bob San unfortunately fell short, and in comparison to the amazing sushi I am used to, it bordered on inedible. I didn't finish, which is something I've NEVER done at a sushi joint. They get a third star for having prompt and friendly service, even if the place did look like a "Taco Bell" from the movie Demolition Man.

Sasha S.

The first time I went here was about 5 or maybe even 6 years ago for New Year's Eve and I thought it was fantastic, BUT NOW after eating the sushi all over California - this time around - not so impressive. Not at all. It was nothing special. The salad was soggy (gross) and food just OK. I give it 3 stars however because I was with the best company and we sat outside which was really nice and comfy - perfect humid summer night. I think California sushi blows Chicago sushi away, ya that's probably it.

M J.

The last time I was here was a few years ago, but I never forgot the experience. The sushi is incredible! I recommend the spicy crunchy roll --- soo good. Usually pretty crowded, but for good reason. Highly recommended.

YerMah L.

You should listen to me. I'm a vegetarian and I still come here. Well, since Peter left.. I begrudgingly walk in every now and then.... I usually get the same thing... Veggie Tempura-- i do enjoy the light batter Crunchy Vegetable... sounds silly, but... I do drag my sushi snob friend who treck in from the burbs to dine at Bob San... so with that said... check this place out. I hear the Dragon and the Spider Rolls are fab. :)

caroline e.

No matter how many other sushi places I try in this city, I always go back to Bob's. The fish is always fresh, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is friendly. I highly recommend the Chili Spicy Tuna Crunch roll. It's truly outstanding. The thing that really puts this place over the edge for me is the comfortable, laid back, unpretentious atmosphere. That's hard to find in a good sushi joint. I mean, it's called Bob. 'Nough said.

Brandon B.

I have walked by this place dozens of times but tonight I finally walked in after wanting to splurge for a special dinner...and I was surprised that it was much more reasonably priced than I anticipated. Big menu with a lot of variety, mostly sushi obviously but there were a few "non-sushi" items for those who don't like it as much. Very nice and extremely fast service, nice atmosphere, not too crowded. I will be coming back for sure! Usually I expect Sushi to be so expensive....

Natalie M.

I feel like I have been to so many good sushi places in Chicago that they are all starting to blend together. Regardless, Bob San has good food and a pleasant interior. I really liked their white tuna with jalapeno special. I'd never had jalapeno anything on sushi since I figure it would mask the flavor of the fish. Hence, I was skeptical until I put it in my mouth. It was tasty and I thought the two went really well together. Nice job, Bob!

Cristina G.

They have the best house crunch.. super delicious and I assume one of their specialties. They also have a miso cod dish that is to die for!! Have dinner there or order it for pick up. Their drinks are very strong too.

Jeremiah Z.

I used to hit this place up once in a while when I lived in Wicker Park a few years back. Its a more laid-back sushi spot where reservations are easy and there are alot of noisy groups. The restaurant itself has a nice ambiance and is spacious enough. The parking situation isn't too bad either and there is plenty to do in the neighborhood before or after dinner. The sushi itself is alright...Its good but I highly doubt there is any maki roll there that will make a grand impression upon a first time visitor. I never bothered with the sashimi when I used to go so in truth, I can't attest to its quality. But I just don't see this place as somewhere you go for high quality sushi so I don't feel like I'm missing anything. You're going here more to have fun with friends on a night out so it serves that purpose well. Overall, I'd recommend it because although it doesn't satisfy my personal sushi cravings, I'm positive there are other people out there who will love it.

Matt N.

A great sushi spot that has a nice bar area and good service. I have never had a bad experience (related to food or services) at this Wicker Park restaurant.

Eddie O.

This sushi restaurant is one of Chicago's best. I don't live in the neighborhood, but I will drive all the way to bucktown just to eat here. They have great specialty rolls that are not only huge, but really fresh. Service is good and they also have a nice outdoor patio in the front during the summer.

Liz H.

These reviews don't lie - the house crunch roll here rules! They also have the best edemame I have ever tasted, it was cooked to perfection. All our food was all very fresh. I will be going back!

meg g.

Bob San is alright. The decor is horrible and cliche and the bathrooms are trashed for some reason. Why is the place so pricey? Also, it was so loud on a Saturday night that our table of 5 couldn't converse outside of pairs. I do love the name though. Bob San. I don't think a Japanese could say it. It's as awkward as 'Gustafson-san' (my last name with the title added). For some reason I find it hilarious.

daniel w.

Wow- this sushi is amazing! I tried it the other night and it's some of the freshest sushi I've had in a long time. I was really impressed with the service as well. I ordered and the sushi was at my table within minutes (yet still so fresh!).

bill s.

Well, this was the first place I've ever eaten sushi at, therefore I cannnot base my opinion of it on comparisons to other sushi restaurants obviously, however I was definately impressed indeed. I enjoyed the sushi rolls very much, perhaps a tad bit to my surprise. Well I didn't go in there being pessimistic, but let's just say I wasn't at all sure what to expect. Luckily I have a girlfriend with a fine pallet for taste. I decided to try Japanese beer while I was there as well which was not bad at all, but I'm still in favor of Corona. Hehe.

Dru G.

The best sushi in Chicago for the price. The rolls are pretty big and very fresh so you leave Bob San very happy. It's crowded, but not loud...a really good place for a date!

Michelle W.

This sushi restaurant is a great Wicker Park mainstay. Everything is relatively inexpensive and consistently good, not to mention sitting on the "patio" aka sidewalk is very cool. Try the crunchy vegatarian roll...it is amazing...who knew sweet potato in sushi would taste this good.

Steve S.

Couldn't get in to Mirai, so I ended up at Bob San with some local friends of mine. Wasn't really too excited about Chicago sushi, since I live In San Francisco and my expectations are set really high. That said, Bob San was totally acceptable sushi. Not sure really how it stacks up against other Chicago sushi. It might be 4 or 5 stars if I knew better. But the fish was fresh, and decent, and the rolls were creative but not over done. Worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood.

Nhu N.

Great low-key sushi. I love their house crunch. Been here multiple times for some crunch and prosecco. A little pricey for the quality but everything always taste fresh!

Natalie M.

I feel like I have been to so many good sushi places in Chicago that they are all starting to blend together. Regardless, Bob San has good food and a pleasant interior. I really liked their white tuna with jalapeno special. I'd never had jalapeno anything on sushi since I figure it would mask the flavor of the fish. Hence, I was skeptical until I put it in my mouth. It was tasty and I thought the two went really well together. Nice job, Bob!

Vanessa P.

Very laidback, lounge-y dining area. The food we had was great. I had the house crunch and an unagi roll. I liked the house crunch much better than the unagi roll, which I usually love. I also had a piece of the "bagel" roll, which has cream cheese and salmon in it. You'd never think to put cream cheese in a maki roll, but it was suprisingly good.

Karen L.

Good sushi at reasonable prices. I wouldn't say the sushi is the best that I have had, but for the price it is a good place to try. The atmosphere is more casual than trendy and it is relaxed. I would recommend the House Crunch roll and the spider roll.

Stella S.

Yummy! Love the house crunch and that spicy mayo stuff!! Oh and the spinach appetizer is sooo good...it has this really good sauce! I love sushi, and this is one of my favorite places, you leave satisfied but not wanting to explode!

Lindley E.

Sushi gone average in Bucktown. I've eaten there twice now and I still am not impressed. Menu of standard rolls and nigiri sushi will please lovers of raw fish. Stay away from hot plates -- if you come to Bob San, stick with what they do best and avoid ordering kitchen-made hot foods (including a plain bowl of rice) at all costs. Sushi is pretty tasty, but still only registers as average in my book.

Sarah F.

Fabulous decor. It is the kind of place where I just wanted to wonder around before being seated. The fish is great, lots of different types of rolls to choose from including the really fancy combo rolls. The outdoor seating is nice, but can be a bit noisy.

T S.

I live in the neighborhood, and Bob San is like a comfortable old pair of jeans. I always know what to expect, no surprises. I also like the atmosphere there, good lighting, nice decor, fun to people watch and sit outside on nice days. My favorite dishes are the pan seared scallops for an appetizer, and the House crunch sushi roll. It is a bit over-priced, but not so much that I won't go there. If I want more imaginative, yet $$$ sushi, I head to Mirai. If I want cheap, untrustworthy sushi, I head to that other place on the street. I'm glad I have this option in the hood.

Julianna M.

Bob San is not for people who only want to eat rolls that have 17 ingredients and are smothered in eel sauce and wasabi mayo. Yes, there's a place for mega-maki but Bob San is more focused on uber fresh fish, treated with reverence and served simply--albeit it a slightly trendy setting. The pan fried scallops are a tremendous starter to share with a group--several scallops pounded flat then sauteed with lemon butter and soy--sounds boring but is so much more than the sum of its parts. If you want the best experience cozy up to the sushi bar and leave yourself in the very capable hands of the sushi chefs--just ask them what's best that day and you'll be sure to have an oustanding experience. Location is great for a small party or a pre-going-out gathering. Not as much scene here as Mirai down the street but portions and prices are much more reasonable as well. You can feel comfortable schlumping in here in a sweatshirt and jeans on a bad day or dressed to the nines.

Josh ..

I always like this place. Great quality sushi and I just love the 'spicy sauce' you can get on top of items. Very little to complain about. Top notch.

Derek S.

bob san's a great option in the division strip for sushi. the spider roll is really good, and the octopus appetizer is great too...i save the extra cukes i had just because the rice vinegrette was so tasty. i wasn't impressed with the chili white tuna roll; it was mushy and just didn't really do much but dissolve and leave a tangy aftertaste. the yellowtail roll was yummy....fresh fish and the perfect texture, temperature, and size. i recommend highly for a quick bite or take out. ps. over a year ago i had the scallop appetizer and it was amazing...i'm not sure they still prepare it the same way, but if they're charging $12 for it then it better still be as good as i remember.

Lee-Han H.

great sushi and if you're into that raw stuff go here..I mean it! Other than that they have everything for everyone so you will enjoy going here!

Amelie D.

It's open late the the sushi is superb. Try the Bobby Hand Roll, which does not contain anything raw, for those who are sushi-shy. It is a savory combination of smoked salmon, daikon radish sprouts, cucumber, tobiko (the tiny orange eggs), and special sauce, wrapped in rice and nori. Server Christine is the coolest one there, but all of the staff is laid back and helpful.

Tina M.

Great neighborhood spot for the raw stuff...the sushi bar and tables both provide a great atmosphere. Don't leave without ordering the house crunch roll or the seared scallops....DEEEELICIOUS!

Mark P.

Not bad for trendy sushi. Not as expensive as Mirai. But still not all that reasonable.

One T.

Whenever any of my friends ask me where to go for sushi I suggest this place. It's moderately priced, great decor and the waitresses are sweet and quick. Not to mention the sushi is yummy!

Cristina G.

They have the best house crunch.. super delicious and I assume one of their specialties. They also have a miso cod dish that is to die for!! Have dinner there or order it for pick up. Their drinks are very strong too.

Janie S.

I have eaten a lot of sushi and sashimi. I mean I grew up in Hawaii, an island in the middle of the Pacific so it wasn't a big thing. So after being told Bob San is a great sushi restaurant by multiple people I had high expectations. The rolls are average, and the nigiri sushi is not as fresh as it should be. Stringy tasting tuna is usually a sign it's gone bad. Plus in terms of service...it's not great. They seated us and forgot about us for 30 mins, that's when we got our water. Then it took us another 20 mins for them to take our order which by then we were starving. And this was on a weeknight. The food came out in a timely fashion- I will give them that but really. Bob San, you failed to impress me.

Bess R.

This is the first place I ever had REAL sushi...by real sushi I mean not california rolls from the grocery store (scary, I know). Came here on a date about 4 years ago, and it was awesome. We sat at the bar, had lots of sake, octopus salad, several rolls and some super white tuna sashimi. YUM. I've been back many times, and always enjoy Bob San.

min. r.

I've lived here for 3 years, and finally tried Bob San. I don't know how I went this long, but I'm upset about the whole situation. Went to the Do-Division fest tonight and walked by it - it seemed like fate, and in we went! Since we wanted to see a band that started in 30 minutes, we didn't have much time. Greeted by the chipper girl at the door she told us to sit at the bar to get a drink and decide what we wanted to order. I got a salmon skin hand roll to eat at the bar while my takeout was being prepared, the boyfriend got a beer. The salmon skin was the perfect balance between crunchy and moist, bite size pieces that were wonderful. The seaweed was crunchy, but the chef laid it down on a plate, so the back wasn't. For takeout I grabbed a roll (Passion?) of salmon, avocado, cucumber, and salmon roe; a piece of maguro tuna, and a piece of their super white tuna to go. We went outside and walked the 1 block to the stage, I sat down and ate my new-found treats while enjoying the music. The salmon was fresh and refreshing. The roll was huge and wonderful. The maguro was great. An almost perfect piece of tuna. Then there's the super white... oh. my. god. I'd go back and order a meal of just that if I lived closer. Outstanding. Instead I'll just go back soon, and try tons of other things on their good looking menu. They're still undergoing renovations, so I'll leave any comments about the decor until they're done. I will say that the bartender could be a bit better at his service abilities. Had to wait for my water, as well as ask for a soy sauce dish. Oh well. I'm sure when I go back, and sit at the sushi bar (and it will be soon!) neither will be an issue. After 3 years here I'm still looking for a sushi bar to call home. Bob San is the first one that comes close. It's also one of the few I'd even want to try again. EDIT: It's just as wonderful when you sit there and eat an entire meal. Attentive staff, even in a crowded room, and deliciously fresh fish. I'm hungry just thinking about it. Too bad today is Thanksgiving and I'm having turkey later. :(

Heather M.

The fish is soooo fresh and yummy! And sitting at the sushi bar area is a must! If you go on Thursday, Friday or Saturday Bob San will be there rolling up your rolls for you. And their cosmos are delicious! When we went we told Bob San what we liked and he made us some fabulous rolls - I can't wait to go back. And their rolls are decently priced - not crazy expensive...check it out!!!

Max Y.

Both me and my wife got food poisoning there from a meal on sunday. Won't be going back there.

Kristin N.

Loved the crunchy rolls! This place was a great find. The service was excellent, atmosphere was good and trendy - and "Bob" was a delightful host. Fantastic experience at the Sushi Bar and recommend it highly. We'll be going back for sure.

bernadette b.

the fish is deliciously fresh. the hamachi and white tune fall apart in your mouth. there are no little stringy surprises and it always smells and tastes just perfect. i have travelled around the world in search of pieces this good and have only found 2 others that even come close. for appetizers, try the beef asperagus, the scallops and the white tuna sashimi jalapeno. the spicy white tuna crunch, house crunch and the mayo spicy ebi are two of my favorites. if you are the adventurous type, try the uni shooter: sea urchin sex organs mixed with fish roe, a quail egg, some sauce and some saki....it looks like a small biology experiment, but it is amazingly delicious!

Nana H.

I am a bob san regular. My boyfriend used to live down the street and we could be found having a late dinner here, almost twice a week. I am friends with bob, and alan and we always sit at the sushi bar because we like to chat! The food is excellent- as everyone as reported. But i think the most special thing at bob san is bob and alan! If you sit at the bar- they will guide to what is the freshest of the night, and create special rolls just for you! Not only are they great to have a fun chat with, i think they pay special attention to you if you sit right at the bar. Our favorite are the seared scallops for appetizers, uni sushi when it's recommended, and super white tuna! They are expanding their restaurant to be almost double in size soon, and which is why i think they've slightly raised the prices. Bob also owns Naniwa, in the loop, another great alternative when you arent in the neighborhood.

ali a.

I went here and didnt even get to eat. The hostess and the bartender were extremely rude. We had a reservation that we ended up changing to include one more person and they did not accommodate us. They made us wait for a long time and were just rude. We ended up going to mirai instead and had a fabulous meal. Maybe if I get to try the food next time I will write a better review, but after the way I was treated, I don't know if I want to go back.

Jelly C.

I'm really really really dissapointed. The family and I have been in sushi mode lately. Since we never tried Bob San, I thought it would be a nice place to go. After all, my fellow yelpers did praise about it. We went on a Tuesday night so I was surprised to see that the restaurant had a good number of customers on a weekday. The decor was loungy and the out door patio is nice for the warm summer nights. Our waiter was friendly and suggested a few of their popular dishes. I'm bummed about the menus. they're short and a bit boring. They have the standard dragon and rainbow rolls and less than a handful other ones. Sure their appetizer list was long but they didn't have too many hot or noodle dishes (udon, yakisoba)... We ordered a sashimi appetizer with ponzu sauce. It was ok but the fish was pretty mcuh marinated in the ponzu. The taste of the salmon and white tuna were completely overwhelmed. It probably would'be been better if we could dip it ourselves. Oyster shooters that were good. but nothing compared to the quality and sai cafe. We orderd the beef wrapped asparagus. The beef was crazy chewy. They should've used a differnt type of meat. Something a little more fatty so it doesnt seem like we're eating beef jerky. And the dish was drenched in terryaki sauce. We had the pan fried scallops. Too salty and again drenched in sauce. We ordered the spicey tuna roll, dragon roll, bob san roll, and soft shell crab roll. The rolls came out lookin sloppy. bummer. All the rolls were very mediocre. Nothing worth trying here. Also order a few pieces of uni... although there was a generous amount of uni, the uni wasnt too fresh. We paid about 260 ish for 4 people and I wouldn't have minded if the food and presentation were better. For that money I would go over to Sai Cafe and enjoy dinner there.

Philip N.

Just came back from dinner at Bob San. FRESH. Fresh. Fresh. Short of Nobu in New York (which is by far the best sushi type restaurant that I've ever eaten in), Bob San is a real find in Chicago. Appreciate that I can make a reservation and be seated when I arrive. The service is cordial without be pretentious. The restaurant is attractive and you can sort of hear a conversation even when the room is full. The sushi is terrific. They have a lot of variety and some interesting, different combinations. The white white tuna was wonder with a jalapeno on top to add a little kick. Also liked the Japanese pumpkin and Japanese eggplant tempera...with panko breadcrumb crust, really tasty. The seaweed salad was also good. I like Sushi Wabi but think that this place is more approachable.

John W.

The Smoked Dragon was killer. My Girlfriend had some of the straight Salmon and said it was great. Otherwise, everything else was good but not great. The hot stuff really wasn't all that hot. If I am in that area and want Sushi I would prefer Coast.

Adriana S.

My favorite sushi restaurant. The chefs are nice and will happily recommend things to you. The fish is fresh. My favoirte items are: seaweed salad, crunchy vegetable, and spicy tuna. I highly recommend this place.

Matt W.

Really top-notch sushi. Great selection and very good service for the right price.

Trent M.

The hip (read: pretentious) little brother of downtown sushi staple Naniwa, Bob San is one of my favorite places to quickly pick up one of my favorite rolls of sushi - the Giant roll (Naniwa Roll at Naniwa). It seems like the crazy crowds have died down and you wont have too much of a problem getting a table (sit out on the sidewalk for GREAT people watching). That being said, the people frequenting this place are not my favorite. GREAT fish, decent service, and location are the main draws... although they don't deliver if you are lucky enough to live east of Damen, Naniwa will deliver the same stuff right to your doorstep. Great alternative to Mirai.

J V.

Pretty decent sushi. I wouldn't go over board and say it's amazing though like the other reivews or say it totally sucked.

Sasha L.

OK i really enjoyed this place this is where i go when I'm alone and want to just sit in front of the chefs and watch them make me some great tasting food. i really do enjoy this place its one of those places you can walk in drop 50.00 and feel good about it when you walk out the door ......

Madelyn H.

when i moved to chicago, i was told by a coworker in san francisco specifically to go to bob-san because it was the 'freshest fish he'd ever had'. i liked the sushi here, but have had better. we started with the seaweed salad, had some yellowtail sashimi, the unagi avocado roll and the chili spicy tuna crunch roll. all were good, but nothing out of this world. i'll definitely try again though because the sashimi was fairly fresh (my litmus test), the rolls were pretty tasty and the atmosphere is fun.

Matt N.

A great sushi spot that has a nice bar area and good service. I have never had a bad experience (related to food or services) at this Wicker Park restaurant.

Eddie O.

This sushi restaurant is one of Chicago's best. I don't live in the neighborhood, but I will drive all the way to bucktown just to eat here. They have great specialty rolls that are not only huge, but really fresh. Service is good and they also have a nice outdoor patio in the front during the summer.

Liz H.

These reviews don't lie - the house crunch roll here rules! They also have the best edemame I have ever tasted, it was cooked to perfection. All our food was all very fresh. I will be going back!

daniel w.

Wow- this sushi is amazing! I tried it the other night and it's some of the freshest sushi I've had in a long time. I was really impressed with the service as well. I ordered and the sushi was at my table within minutes (yet still so fresh!).

Jackie K.

Bob San is one of my favorite sushi places in the city. The decor is loungey and sophisticated, but not overly hip as to be intimidating. The House Crunch roll is one of my top three favorite rolls ever. And the scallop appetizer is fantastic. My only complaint is that the wait staff wasn't extremely helpful in picking out a sake, but admittedly I sometimes have a hard time conveying what it is I like.

Linda S.

Highly disappointed with my last sushi experience here. We chose this as my last meal in Chicago because we had such a great experience last time. We ordered several sushi rolls (spicy octopus, crabby dragon roll, holy mackerel, alaska rainbow roll) and the beef asparagus for an appetizer. Everything was falling apart and the fish was pretty much non-existent in all the rolls I ordered. We noticed similar problems with the owner's other restaurants, Sai Cafe and Naniwa, changes in the menu and unpredictable service/quality. It's too bad because the sushi was once amazing at these restaurants.

marisa s.

great sush always. i have been to many group dinners here and have always had great service (even if some of the people we're with get too drunk and needy) and good quality sushi. i love the kani su, house crunch roll and the asparagus beef (but it's so deja vu--i've had this before, it's at Japonais, Mirai...and probably a few other places that i can't remember) if mirai is too long of a wait, this is a good 2nd place...and you will be happy with your sush.

Shannon M.

pan fried scallops. If I am with one or more people, I get an order for the table and an order for myself. and then i get an order for dessert.

Cat B.

This place is delicious! I love Escolar pieces and this place has some of the best I have had. I was also impressed with the hamachi pieces as well. The sushi just fell apart and melted away in your mouth...YUM! They also have a wide range of rolls. The crabby dragon roll is highly recommended. Even the simpler ones are delicious. I had the passion, which is salmon, avocado, cucumber,etc. very basic, and it was delicious. You could really taste the quality of the salmon. You can tell a great sushi place when they don't need to dress up their rolls with a bunch of sauces and other fluff to mask that the fish is only mediocre. The fish here is top quality. The space is nicely decorated, but it is a bit open for my tastes. Evidently, it used to be more sectioned off and I think I would have preferred that. I don't need to be able to see the entire room when I dine. The service was excellent!! I was starving, and my friend Jim asked the waitress if we could get edamame and seaweed salad immediately, joking that I might bite his head off (those of you who know me when I am hungry, know what he is talking about) and then shortly we had our food. There was no rush to order all at once and everything came out in the right order. We weren't struggling to fit the sushi on the table because we hadn't finished our appetizers like other places I have dined. The price was good too. The only problem I had was the bathrooms need to be updated a little bit, but that factor has no effect on my rating given the quality of the food and service.

Mindy S.

Another one of my favorites! The sushi is fantastic, the decor trendy and the service excellent! The house crunch roll and spicy tuna are both a must. The creamy scallop hand roll is unbelievable and I haven't been able to find anything like it anywhere else. The white tuna melts in your mouth, you have to try it! Yum!

J. C. G.

I love Bob San and her sister restaurant, Naniwa. Bob always gets the freshest fish and has the best sushi chefs. Don't go to Bob San if you want frou frou sushi stuff, this place is for your more basic sushi needs.

Brittany N.

Great sushi. Nice wine. Had an Albarino by the glass, which I was really happy about! Fun, trendy, lively nightlife vibe (on a Fri night at least). Place was a lot bigger than I thought with multiple nooks and rooms. Was completely hidden from the outside, and was really surprised to find such a hip, trendy place behind the door!

Olivia R.

If you haven't tried Bob San's sushi yet you are missing out. I had dinner here last night with some friends for the first time and was impressed with both the sushi and the service. We ordered many rolls and everything was good, but we also ordered a miso cod entree that was out of this world. This restaurant was suprisingly crowded for a Tuesday night so make reservations before heading there.

Pam S.

Dog Owners Beware. They are not a fan of dogs here (in their outdoor patio area unlike every other restaurant I have been to to date in the city). We waited 45 minutes only to be told as we were being seated that their license did not allow them to have dogs in their patio area. I read their license agreement which did not state anything about dogs not being allowed and questioned them about this and they agreed they lied but that they found it 'unsanitary' to have dogs sitting outside. What I found more unsanitary was the conditions in which they kept their outdoor facility. There were crumpled up dirty napkins everywhere that blew from table to table with the wind and countless used/dirty toothpicks everywhere. I will not go back here. I can get better service at McDonald's.

mary b.

This place is for people who like over-flavored, mayonnaised filled rolls that leave no room to taste the quality of the fish. Everytime I have come here the sushi rolls are so overdone in sauces and mayonnaise that it is basically like eating rice with mayonnaise, chili sauce, or fried soy sauce. I also got sick here last night. Had the house crunch which was pretty much a deep-fried roll of shrimp (oh and they dont serve wasabi with some of their rolls, what is up with that?) We were still hungry to decided to try their tofu dish which essentially was just deep-fried tofu with a very weird side bowl of fish skin flakes. No delicious soy-sauce or dipping sauce, just deeply-breaded and deeply fried tofu-what the hell is japanese about this? Coast or Mirai much much better sushi and th quality and deisgn of their rolls allows you to actually taste the fish not such rice slathered in some articfical sauce. Dont plan to return to Bob San again, the sushi is bad.

Robin D.

We just literally came back from this sushi place and boy am I fired up to write this review. If you look at the list of restaurants that I have reviewed you will see that I have been to a lot of sushi places so I thnk I know what im talking about. We did not have reservations but we were seated immediately, thats fabulous. The server came to give us the menu pretty promptly so that not bad. The place had a nice ambience. The downfall begins with the food. We ordered, the BobSan, Alaskan Dragon, sea bass roll and the scallop temaki (I cant remember the exact names of the lastt two). The price is similar to Toro and Usagi Ya but the quality is just not good at all. The rice is wet and sticky and they scrimp on the fish and they stuff it with Avocado and other stuff. The Bob San was not good at all, there were two rolls that were stuffed with leaves instead of the fish. They have 6 small pieces per order for the roll and they are small. After the first order I wasnt full at all so we ordered the Passion and the Alaskan. Ilike King Crab and the Alaskan Rainbow didnt have enough crab at all, I could barely taste the crab so I ordered a different one which is just King Crab roll (Alaskan) and my gosh I still cannot taste or see the crab. The Passion was just as bad, we just had to pick the salmon because the rice was too wet and sticky and the avocado was overpowering the roll. Doesnt end here, the service is too slow in this place, granted they are busy but how long does it take to get the check. I will not be returning at this place at all and I dont recommend it. So many good sushi places. in the city.