Riki Sushi

While Pela Mesa does the chef-driven seasonal thing and Tribute Pizza flexes wood-fired pies, Riki keeps it straightforward: fresh fish, reasonable prices, and servers who remember your order from last month. This is the neighborhood's sushi anchor — the place that was here before North Park became a dining destination, and somehow never got precious about it.

The sashimi is legitimately good, even for takeout — clean cuts, no filler, the kind of quality that makes you wonder why you'd pay double elsewhere. The rolls lean classic with smart twists: the Girls Night Roll layers flavors without turning into a dessert, and even standbys like the Caterpillar and Rainbow feel carefully made rather than assembly-line. The protein sashimi cucumber roll is a regular's secret — low-carb, high-payoff, and proof they're thinking about what people actually want to eat.

Bento boxes surprise with their size and depth — solid chicken karaage, well-balanced plates that work for lunch or a casual dinner. The vibe is unfussy contemporary Japanese, with outdoor seating that catches the 30th Street energy without the brewery noise. Service is the kind of friendly-competent that makes you a regular without trying — they care, but they're not performing care.

The wine and beer list is modest but functional, vegetarian options are real (not just avocado rolls in disguise), and pricing stays reasonable in a neighborhood where "casual" can mean $18 appetizers. Park on the side streets; 30th Street itself is a gamble. Go for the weeknight refuge or date night that doesn't require a second mortgage. Order the sashimi, trust the Girls Night Roll if you're feeling adventurous, and skip the Instagram hunt — this place doesn't need it.