Ichiban PB

While the rest of Garnet Ave chases craft cocktails and birria trends, Ichiban stays planted in a simpler era: counter-service sushi, laminated menus, and rolls priced like you're still paying in pre-2010 dollars. This isn't omakase or even close — it's the sushi equivalent of a reliable taco shop, where you order at the register, grab a table, and get surprisingly decent maki for what you're paying. The longevity (30+ years, according to regulars) tells you everything: this place survives because it does one thing consistently well enough that people keep coming back when they want sushi without the ceremony or the bill.

The menu leans heavily on salmon and imitation crab — ask before you order if you're expecting real crab, because most rolls default to the fake stuff. The **guacamole roll** gets mentioned enough in reviews to be worth trying, though the concept (guac in sushi?) sounds like a post-surf fever dream. Staff like Michelle apparently help navigate the menu for sushi novices, which matters when you're dealing with a crowd that ranges from college kids to families who've been coming here since the '90s.

Service runs average to slow — don't come here if you're in a rush between the beach and dinner plans. But if you're looking for a casual weeknight spot where you can feed a group without destroying your budget, and you're okay trading precision for portions, Ichiban delivers exactly what it promises: sushi that won't wreck your wallet, served in a space that's stuck in time in the best possible way. Park on the street if you can find it; Garnet Ave parking is its own sport.