Hinata Sushi — Restaurant in Lemon Grove

My husband has been to Hinata sushi before with a friend, so he suggested going there for dinner. My husband and I arrive around 7:00 pm. There is a roomy parking lot with plenty of parking. We went through the doors of the restaurant and immediately noticed how crowded and stuffy it was. We saw a list to add our name to a waitlist, so I added my name, and immediately, a lady noticed us and sat us at a table in the back. This restaurant was so packed with people that you could barely walk around the tables. We immediately noticed that their thermostat on the wall said it was 84 degrees inside, and the AC was set to 69 degrees. Sounds like they need their AC looked at because that is simply not acceptable. The restaurant was so loud that we could barely hear each other. The music was a horrible tiktok Playlist too. The waitress took our drink order. I ordered a raspberry iced tea, and my husband ordered a coke. Luckily, we had straws because my husband noticed that there was lipstick on the rim of his glass. He didn't want to complain about it, that's his choice. The menu is very large with a huge variety of food. The waitress came over maybe 1 minute later and asked what we wanted to order. We barely had time to look at the menu, so she said she would come back. I ordered fried gyoza as an appetizer for the table. I ordered an avocado and salmon roll and seared avocado nigiri. My husband ordered a Yamato roll and a Philly roll. We waited about 10 minutes or so before they brought over 2 rolls to our table. My husband and I were confused because my roll didn't look like the avocado salmon roll. My husband ate one of the pieces of his roll, but I hadn't touched mine yet. The waitress came back over and said they made a mistake and brought the wrong rolls over, and she took the two rolls away. A minute later, she brings over the fried gyoza. We both tried the gyoza, and it was pretty good, but the sauce they have is extremely salty. Before we are done with the gyoza, the waitress comes back and brings back the roll my husband ate a piece from and said that it was actually the correct roll. My husband went ahead and ate it. He was not impressed with the Yamoto roll at all. The waitress did eventually bring over my avocado salmon roll, and my husband's Philly roll to the table. My husband said the Philly roll was pretty good. My avocado salmon roll was decent, but the avocado was not fully ripe, so the avocado was a little too firm for my taste. The waitress brought out the seared salmon nigiri. The seared salmon nigiri was pretty good. My husband and I were not impressed with this place at all, and we would not come back. Maybe we just went on an off night, I'm not sure. When we were leaving the restaurant, we saw how busy it had gotten in the front with people waiting. I was perplexed as to why all these people who wait in a big line to get a seat here. Maybe they just don't know what...

Narumi was a local eatery which I fell in love with. At one point, La Mesa was the only place to find it and I remember eating there after long work days. It was even the place I had my first date with my now fiance. When the Lemon Grove location opened it was almost priority for us to support this eatery. It's food I did not want to make at home, very delicious. However after today, it's time to maybe say goodbye to this local eatery. We encountered very rude staff but out waitress was the most rude of all. I ordered the Katsu Don and my fiance ordered the Tempura Don. The waitress gave my fiance attitude when he requested the original tempura sauce made with dashi, and not the katsu like sauce they originally gave him. I understand she might have been stressed so I let it slide but she proceeded to give me attitude as well when I mentioned my Katsu Don was completely raw. She blamed me for not liking it...No madame, it wasn't that I didn't like it, the issue was that it was undercooked. I understand some pieces or sides might not be fully cooked but every single piece even in the middle was not cooked. I did not want to make an issue and understand accidents happen, hence I never took a picture of my katsu don. I saw it as a simple mistake and ordered the karaage. Wouldn't you know it, my karaage was not cooked properly either. Every piece was light pink, pink, or barely cooked. Pictures below to follow. I felt terrible for wasting so much food and not eating it because it can be very delicious, but my health is priority over negligence. Our waitress was named Aitana and she was not kind to us even when we were so polite and trying very hard to be patient with her. I might come back in a few years but as of recent, it's not a warm place....

Upon entering Henata Sushi, the ambiance immediately suggests a fusion of traditional Japanese aesthetics with a modern twist. The staff's warm greeting sets the stage for what is to be a delightful culinary experience. Today's choice from their extensive sushi menu is their much-talked-about Crunch Roll.

The Crunch Roll is a masterful blend of textures and flavors. Inside, tender crab and succulent shrimp provide a sea-kissed base that is both comforting and indulgent. Each bite is an exploration of contrasts: the softness of the seafood against the crisp bite of tempura. The roll is then crowned with a generous sprinkling of crunch flakes, adding an irresistible texture that lives up to the name.

But it's not just about the crunch. The sweet sauce drizzled over the top offers a glossy, flavor-packed glaze that complements the seafood without overpowering it. This sweetness is artfully balanced with a dollop of spicy mayo, which introduces a heat that slowly builds, lingering pleasantly after each bite.

Henata Sushi's Crunch Roll is a well-executed dish that pays homage to the art of sushi-making while providing an innovative twist. It's a must-try for both sushi connoisseurs and novices alike, promising an experience that is as memorable for the palate as it is for the eyes. Moreover, the restaurant's kid-friendly atmosphere ensures that families can enjoy a fine dining experience that caters to all ages, making Henata Sushi a standout choice for those seeking a meal that satisfies every member...