Commenters on Edhat.com have been speculating about what business will replace Baja Fresh at 7127 Hollister Ave in Goleta. One commenter is 100% certain that it will be Itsuki Sushi restaurant’s new location. No other Edhat commenters have confirmed that as of this writing (10:48am, 6/13/12). Thanks to reader Kaylee for the tip.
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Seems like Our Daily Bread should get in the fight. Already have Sushi Ai across the street.
And Roll A Lot in Albertsons on same street…
Yeah because sushi from Albertsons and Sushi Ai are the same caliber as Itsuki.
Roll A Lot is not affliated with Albertsons David San and to me Sushi Ai and Itsuki is more or less the same but I usually get the standard stuff so you are the expert apparently. I would like to see a variance in foods, we’ve got enough Japanese places and an Itsuki place already but if no one else wants the place…
I saw the ODB owner checking out the location where the Taj was the other day. But I also heard that a create your own Pizza place (think if Chipotle made pizza) was going in there too.
Itsuki I believe is the only or one of the few (if there are others please list them!) that serve actual tonkutsu ramen in SB as well as other broth based noodle dishes beyond the typical udon you see at most places. I’ve never known it to be a top choice for sushi more a place people go for soups, donburi, and other Japanese cuisine.
For some reason the ramen trend still hasn’t hit SB. In many cities nowadays there are multiple places serving well crafted high end ramen, but none that I know of in SB. Itsuki’s version is OK to get your fix, but doesn’t stand up against offerings elsewhere. The variety and quantity of toppings they use on their ramen is disappointing.
Still regardless what they serve from sushi to soup is another league compared to the quick serve style Sushi Ai and Roll A Lot.
Hmm. Good to know. Didn’t know anyone in town was serving ramen. People here are seriously missing out on the ramen trend happening in other cities. Ramen Underground in SF…YUM.
I tried it and it was more on the Sushi Ai level more me(in fact I like Sushi Ai a little better) but I guess you are wiser than me SL San, not tried any ramen stuff there.
What menu item(number?) would you recommend that speaks to Itsuki’s strength?
I tried the tonkotsu ramen at Itsuki. It was really not that different from stocks you can wipe up at home using pork bones and kombu. It lacks wow factors like the stock from a real ramenya. However, Itsuki is still a step above Sushi Ai and Roll A lot, and will be a welcome addition to the boring Albertson parking lot.
What does this even mean? Do you realize that’s how ramen restaurants make stock also (using bones and kombu)?
On certain nights of the week, Ahi Restaurant makes tonkotsu ramen, one shoyu and one miso. I recall that the menu said to allow prep time for it, like an extra 15 minutes. I like their zaru sobu too.
Er, zaru soba.
Thanks for the tip, but a bit confused.
I’ve always understood:
Tonkotsu ramen: “pork bone broth” really rich cloudy and creamy made by boiling the heck out of pork bones. PITA to make at home hence why you eat it out and probably don’t see it much in SB as its more labor intensive. (my personal fav when done right)
Shoyu ramen: not cloudy, brown/clear chicken or veggie broth with soy sauce added.
Miso ramen: typically miso added to a chicken based broth or sometimes to a tonkotsu broth. (another fav when done right)
So what are they serving at Ahi? Thanks!
Hmm, based on that information, I would then think that Ahi’s specialty ramen dishes are *not* tonkotsu, but they are good.
If Itsuki is planning to move out to the Baja Fresh space in Goleta, I would welcome it. Been a fan of their noodles and bento for years.
Ramen hasn’t hit SB because most of SB’s population knows very little about food. The only cuisine that does really well here is Mexican.
I know the owners personally, I will ask them tonight.
I totally agree with Glenn, Our Daily Bread bakery and cafe would be brilliant!
The University Plaza is where businesses go to die. Nothing last there.
If ODB is actively seeking new space, they should check out the development plans for the big lot in the Funkzone across from Muni Wine, Kunin tasting rooms on the first block of Anacapa. I believe the development plan wants a business there that is both a production facility and retail. It seems like a bakery fits that, and is an ideal complement to the urban wine trail.
Quizno’s and L&L have been there awhile Milo, maybe their business model is better.
Itsuki is the best!