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Sushi Sam's Edomata

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218 E Third Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401

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(650) 344-0888
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Sushi Sam's Edomata - San Mateo, CA
Reviews
( 10 )
( 14 )
( 4 )
( 3 )
( 5 )

Best

They have the freshest sushi, great rice, and a huge selection of sushi that run of the mill sushi places will not provide. Pros: incredibly fresh, fair priced, and a wide sel...

Worst

This place was SO hard to get into! We went with another couple, who just wouldn't eat anywhere else. "This is THE best!" we kept hearing. Our meal was rushed by the staff (they n...

Editorial review from Citysearch 4/11/2013

consistently the best quality at reasonable prices for years... more
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great food 7/24/2011

They are really great and the food is good here too. I really like the agedashi tofu here as well. Sometimes they get busy though and the service takes a little extra time, but they try hard to keep up with the busy schedule they have on Friday and Saturday nights. more
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best sushi south of SF 6/13/2010

They have the freshest sushi, great rice, and a huge selection of sushi that run of the mill sushi places will not provide. Pros: incredibly fresh, fair priced, and a wide selection Cons: the wait more
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Not for single diners, this restaurant discriminates 10/19/2008

I went to Sushi Sam's Edomata in San Mateo for dinner on Friday, Oct. 17th, 2008. Cons: rude service, discrimination more
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Simply the best 7/9/2008

I travel all over the country for work and I try and find the best sushi restaurants wherever I go. A colleague recommended Sushi Sam's and I have to say that it is by far one of the best (if not THE best) sushi I have ever had. Most places just serve the nigiri by itself and you have the choice of dipping it into your soy sauce and wasabi mix or eating it plain. At Sam's, each piece has it's own sauce already on it and they actually told me to leave the soy sauce in the bottle. Also, their selection of fresh fish is incredible. I had fatty tuna, butterfish, bonito, white sea bass, black sea bass, baby lobster, smoked shrimp, copper river salmon, yellow tail, eel & trout. I sat at the sushi bar and talked to Sam and his chef's and they were extremely helpful. Order the sushi tasting menu and then let them know if there's anything specific you want to try. The service was very good and the waiters seemed to be on top of everything. Pros: Great sushi selection Cons: Not close enough to my house! more
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Long time local favorite 3/23/2008

I have been going to sushi sam's for over 12 yrs......too long to remember exactly how long ago. Anyways, it has always been a local favorite. I am not sure why other people think it has gone down hill. I have to admit you can spend a lot of money to get full if your mostly eating sushi but it is well worth it. The sushi is always fresh and delicious. Pros: great food and service.....Best soft shell crab EVER! Cons: during peak times you may have to wait for a table more
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Don't eat here 2/2/2008

This is my sushi restaurant, and I'd rather you went somewhere else. more
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Sushi 101 - Don't Bother with Sushi Sam's 11/2/2007

This place has really gone downhill. Not only is the prices not worth the portions but the sushi looked like it was rolled by a blind child. The nigiri sushi was extremely small and sloppy, while the rolls, which I hoped would be better, were falling apart without even touching them. I still can't get over how much they think they can charge for their portions... A shame, maybe Sam should close temporarily, go back to work for Isobune (which isn't what they were 10 years ago) with his other chef's, re-learn the basics, and then open back up. If you're in that area go somewhere else. There's plenty of other Japanese spots in downtown SM that will exceed your expectations. Try Joy sushi on B street. Pros: None that I can think of Cons: poorly prepared sushi, over-priced, super small portions more
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Come here for the omakase or order sushi from the "daily ... 8/1/2007

Come here for the omakase or order sushi from the "daily specials" white board. They serve fish that you... more
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Come here for the omakase or order sushi from the "daily ... 8/1/2007

AlisonSeidFong Provided by Partner
Come here for the omakase or order sushi from the "daily specials" white board. They serve fish that you can't usually find elsewhere~ butterfish,... more
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It used to be my favorite, not anymore! 10/5/2006

I fell in love with this restaurant 10 years ago when I first went there, and I had been a very loyal customer for a good few years. They had generous portion of sushi and sashimi, seafood was fresh, and atmosphere was above average. The staff behind the sushi bar was nice, and I really enjoyed the food they served. A great variety of seafood was available and they were ""fresh"" (see I used this word twice in this paragraph?) I was a frequent customer of Sam's for some 6 years. Even the wait was long for seating, it was definitely worth-while. Pros: Location Cons: Average food quality, above average cost. Service below average more
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great fresh sushi 9/17/2006

by gary at Menuism Provided by Menuism
most of the sushi at sushi sam's comes off the daily specials menu. which means every day you're in for a... more
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great fresh sushi 9/17/2006

Gary Provided by Partner
most of the sushi at sushi sam's comes off the daily specials menu. which means every day you're in for a surprise :) their fish is very fresh and ... more
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Yummy! 9/6/2006

They have expanded so more seatings but still have to wait on busy nights - worth it. Their California Special is one of my favorites. The spicy tuna handroll is tasty too. If you don't like sushi, their sukiyaki is one of the best in the Bay Area. Last but not least, their lunch box special with the udon noodle is a must have. Pros: really good food Cons: sometimes the wait can be long, parking can be a challenge more
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Best sushi and my favorite restaurant in the world 9/4/2006

I have been hesitant to tell anyone about this restaurant because it is so good. The sushi is absolutely the best I've had anywhere in the world, including in Japan. The best thing to do is to order the ""Omakase"", which is the chef's tasting menu. You can specify how many pieces you want, and then you get one piece each of some very exotic fish you otherwise might never eat - flathead, butterfish, beltfish, alfonsino, shad gizzard, amberjack, etc. Each piece is individually sauced, and you are advised not to dip them in sushi - they already have what they need. Pros: Best sushi in the world, unusual fish served in the chef's tasting menu Cons: You can spend some serious books if you fall in love with the fish more
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Excellent, imaginative sushi 8/25/2005

This friendly place may seem a bit chaotic, but it's worth the effort to get a seat at the sushi bar. The special items, such as seared toro and white salmon skin sushi are memorable. They have the usual rolls and other items, but why bother. Visit a few times, and the staff will remember your name and home community. Lately, at the sushi bar they have changed the procedure of ordering sushi from the waiters rather than the chefs. Good idea. They keep track of your order and return frequently. The only annoyance is that they will seat young children at the sushi bar. Many other sushi bars do not do this as young kids don't eat sushi, they get restless and bored--and they take up space for other clientele. Just one curmudgeon's opinion. Pros: quality , innovation, variety Cons: small, packed, kids at sushi bar more
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Best selection & quality sushi 6/17/2005

Sushi Sam's provides a sushi lover with a huge array of sushi that is of very high quality and a large selection. The selection is more than typical sushi places. Some of examples are: Battera (pressed rectangular kelp/mackrel), the best Monk fish liver I have found anyware, white salmon, kobe beef, grilled black cod, baby lobster, Hamachi cheeks, deep fried baby flounder that you eat even the bones, and seasonal special fresh sushi. It is for the food as the draw back is the crowds (if you sit in the old part of the restaurant, a bit noisey but well worth it. Pros: quality of sushi, variety of sushi, price of sushi Cons: often a wait more
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A place for local quick eats 5/19/2005

The food is good, the service is ordinary, and there are often waits. Sushi Sam's is what you'd expect from a popular local joint. However, I've been noticing recently that stuffy foodies have been making their way to Sushi Sam's. That's a good thing that Sushi Sam's is expanding is customer base, but it's a eat and leave place. I've seen people with 4 bottles of wine on their table. People who've finished eating and sat around to chat and chat. Dinner parties of 8. Come on guys, the ambience and the line out the door should give enough of a hint that this is not a fine dining establishment where you sit for a 2 hour meal. Turnover is key. And what's this...do they take reservations? Pros: Food, price Cons: Inconsiderate custome more
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Great food but service needs BIG improvement 4/13/2005

I've always love Sushi Sam but one thing I really wants to share is the service. Majority of the staff is friendly and efficient but this one guy who's been working there for over eight years is one of the reason I seek another sushi place. Waiters always scream at each other in their own language, he never smiles when he come take our orders, and of couse never smiles when he brings us our check. I'm sure they'll have no problem getting business because this place is alway packed, but I really wish they have staffs who appreciates their customers a bit more. Pros: Fresh Sushi, Great variety Cons: Unfriendly Staff, Long Wait more
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Chef's Choice All the Way 2/9/2005

Forget the rolls. The only way to eat here is up at the bar ordering the specials off the board. While the regular nigiri may be ordinary (but cheaper), the innovative preparations from the Chef's Choice is sublime: silky cuts, sometimes drizzled with lemon juice or other unique sauce, and creatively dressed with toasted garlic, almonds, or shaved scallions. The contrast of textures and flavors of the specials are what sets Sushi Sam's apart from most others. Pros: personality, innovative specials, casual atmoshere Cons: a little dingy, somewhat pricey, long wait more
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Menu for Sushi Sam's Edomata


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Editorial
Additional information
  • Hours: Thu: 11:30am-2pm, Sat: 11:30am-2pm, 5pm-10pm, Tue: 5pm-10pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, Central San Mateo
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