OB Sushiya

While Sine Wave fusses over rosemary-infused matcha and Little Chef hustles takeout containers across the counter, Sushiya operates on a completely different clock—this is the spot where Obecians post up at sidewalk-facing tables with beer, sake, and sushi that doesn't require a second mortgage. The happy hour deal is the whole point: prices drop low enough that you can actually afford multiple rounds of rolls and still have cash left for the beer.

The kitchen's range is wider than the name suggests—veggie udon pulls noodle heads who remember how it tasted in Japan, bento boxes do steady business at lunch, and the rolls run large enough that one order feels like an actual meal. Staff recognize regulars even when they're visiting from out of town, which is the kind of institutional memory that turns a sushi spot into a decade-long habit. Dogs can post up under the table if you're eating outside, which in Ocean Beach counts as a meaningful amenity.

Downsides exist and they're not subtle—the chicken katsu draws legitimate complaints about flavor and execution, suggesting the kitchen's strength lives in raw fish and noodle bowls, not fried cutlets. Rice quality seems inconsistent, and the teriyaki sauce occasionally tastes like it's been sitting too long. But the miso soup holds steady, the calamari and wontons work as starters, and if you're ordering what this place does well—sushi, udon, bento—you're unlikely to leave disappointed.

The two sidewalk-facing seating areas let you watch Newport Ave foot traffic while you eat, which is either people-watching gold or a reminder that you're dining ten feet from the bus stop, depending on your tolerance for street theater. No reservations published, but they take them—worth calling ahead if you're bringing a group.