It was a sad day on August 31st. Hide Mata and his crew shot the door and closed business for good after 28 years. This was my second home, my parents came here, dates, my wife, family it just too sad. The building is getting torn down and has to make room for condos. I can only hope that Hide Mata is going to open something else in NB some day. Best of luck to all the guys who made our nights special at Cal Beach. You will never be forgotten

We've been coming to this AYCE sushi place for years! We frequest this restaurant at least 2 times a month. The sushi chefs are Japanese (many from Japan) and often make special rolls outside of the norm. I posted about 10 pics of various sushi - salmon skin hand roll (my favorite!), philadelphia roll, mackarel, salmon eggs, surf clam, baked salmon special, albacore, fresh salmon, etc. Their fish is FRESH and they are generous with the cuts (more fish, less rice). We always get the AYCE and sit at the sushi bar. The total price is $24.95 per person and you can sit there for up to an hour and eat as much as your tummy can take! The AYCE also includes unlimited appetizers, such as miso soup, pork gyoza, fried oysters, etc. We rarely partake in those though, as we'd rather indulge in the fresh sushi! The restaurant gets busy on the weekends so be sure to come early for a seat at the sushi bar, or be prepared for a wait. The sushi chefs are awesome and fun! There is very little turn-over on the staff, which shows that they must treat their employees well. They play their infamous Phil Collins song, "In the Air Tonight", and everyone grabs wooden blocks and claps the blocks together during a certain part of the song. I used to live in Hawaii and they also had a sister restaurant (same restaurant name), located in Honolulu. It wasn't as large as the one in Newport Beach, but they were just as friendly. If I had to give one criticism about this restaurant, I'd have to say that the women's restroom could be bigger and cleaner.

I hate to give out all my secrets to this place, but I'd hate it more to have this place close down. This is THE SPOT me and my friends get our cheap sushi fix. Well, it is not exactly cheap. It is about $30 for All you can eat(AYCE) sushi and appetizers. Which is pretty cheap in my books for decent quality sushi. Secret #1, always eat at the sushi bar. Fast service. Just order as you go, the sushi chefs caters to all your sushi cravings first. It is how they do it in Japan, and it's how you should do it. Unless you have a big group. Secret #2, stay away from the scallop. It is always over cooked, and it isn't that good. Secret #3, stay away from rolls. I know they look all pretty and stuff. But you are here to eat sushi. So order the nigiri sushi! The sushi chefs will give you a thumb up! Plus it fills you up super quick. This place doesn't stuff the regular sushi with rice like other AYCE places. Secret #4, almost always, the sushi chefs will have a special sushi. Kinda like a signature sushi. It usually pretty fancy looking. When you sit at the bar, ask about it! It Pains me to spill all the beans, but I do it for you guys on yelp. Here are some other tips, gyozas are good, tuna is not consistent, sometimes its awesome, sometimes its meh. If one of the fish isnt working out for you, there are money other choices to choose from. Gotta try the ONO with the seared jalapeno. The quail eggs are for quail egg shooters. Its ponzu sauce, some ginger, lemon, other herbs, and a quail egg. Its only $1. For sure party piece for anyone who is easily amused. Follow my guide for this place and you will not be disappointed. I'd come here more often if they were closer. But Newport is one heck of a drive for me. But when I'm in town, I'd definitely visit this spot for some good sushi!

You either get what you pay for, or pay for what you get. In this case, it's get what you pay for, and it can be a great experience if you check your hoity-toity sushi attitude at the door. Just like a Napan can (occasionally) enjoy a boxed wine with some friends, a sushi-snob can also enjoy the darker side of CA style sushi. I've had my share of all you can eat sushi, and all you can afford sushi. This place does not hold back, nor do they try and run the clock out on you. I'm ordering from the menu with the waitress, munching on my last order, and collaborating with the sushi chef on our next concoction....yes, you can order anything. How about a sashimi club sandwich?? they'd probably do it! Ask them to get creative, and they will. Order anything you want, and it arrives, and it doesn't have to be just sushi or sashimi. How about a little tempura, miso soup and octopus salad (DONE!) ... you want a cream cheese lard tuna with ponzu uni and bacon (what!?!???. OK.. done (bleh). Although the place looks like it's seen a lot of happy hours and last calls, the staff is very friendly, food is good quality, and I've never left dissatisfied or disgruntled. Just don't expect every dish to be 5 stars, set your snob-filter to stun, and have fun!

Pros: 1/2 off beer on Mondays. Fun sushi chefs. All You Can Eat sushi. Cons: Hearing Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight" every time I come here. If you're looking for a good time at an all-you-can eat sushi place, this is the place to go. My friends and I used to go here once a week every Thursday, but a lot of us stopped going cause it was getting expensive. The all-you-can-eat sushi price is around $22 dollars and if you can eat your fair share of sushi I would recommend it. I personally like to get random nigiri sushi (i.e. mussel, salmon, etc), but a lot of my friends love Ichi's "special". It's pretty much a California roll topped with scallops and mayo. Fattening, but delicious. You might find better quality sushi at other places, but you can't beat all you can eat if you got a big appetite. Another great part about this place is the sushi chefs are always down to drink with you. Sometimes you worry if the sushi chefs are getting too drunk, but they always manage to get you your order in time. If you can, try to eat at the sushi bar. If you sit at a table, all you can eat really isn't worth it in my opinion, cause sometimes it takes longer than you expect. Final note, if you go there on Monday's they have half off pitchers on beer. I don't remember if sake is half off too, but you can't beat cheap beer, good food, and good times.