Big Bear Sushi & Thai
Big Bear Sushi & Thai — one of Irving Park's strongest japanese spots. Feels current without overdoing it. Plating that reflects real attention to detail, and BYOB. Karell Blancaflor: "The Godzilla roll was phenomenal — the presentation alone is art, and it tasted even better than it looked" [$$]
What 251 diners keep saying
What 251 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Food and atmosphere are great! The place is small and there are not enough waiters to help around so it’s a lot of waiting. When we went, there was one waiter that was doing everything and she was running around. The restaurant should consider more staff since the one waiter couldn’t check in on if we needed anything more. However the one waiter was so nice and doing her best! Everything we ordered tasted absolutely delicious! Highly recommend this place for the food.”

“I’ve been here a few times and usually get sushi. Both the simple/standard rolls and specialty options are always fresh and delicious. More recently, I tried the Yakisoba noodles which had a clean and delicious flavor. The environment is cozy, sometimes it gets more crowded for lunch but it’s a great place to have a conversation I would definitely try other hot dishes and for sushi, it’s some of the best in the area.”

“Service was fast, the place was not crowded. Nice place for a relaxing meal. I got tofu, broccoli and carrot entree that came with white rice. Plus I had a simple yellowfik maki. The entree was not greasy, very satisfying. $30 for a three-course meal.”

“Honestly? Soooo good! I ordered the Snow Storm roll and it was epic both in flavor and beauty. My partner got the Green Curry with chicken. It was so flavorful and warm. I have been all over the United States and this was best green curry I have ever tasted! The lady serving us was so sweet and adorable. The food arrived promptly. Everything was perfect. Try this place, you will not regret it.”

“Food is as delicious as it is beautiful. Great deal on lunch specials. Curry was fantastic to warm up on a cold day.”

“Big Bear Sushi Thai is a lovely local spot with a warm, inviting atmosphere and incredibly friendly, attentive staff. We visited on a quiet Monday evening and felt well taken care of the entire time. Everything we ordered was delicious, from the Panang curry and orange tofu to the seafood salad, sushi rolls, and crab rangoon. The standout for me was the salmon ceviche, which was bright, crisp, and perfectly balanced, cutting through the richness of the salmon beautifully. I would absolutely come back and highly recommend it to locals looking for a relaxed night out with great food.”

“10/10 — new favorite spot unlocked. We came to Big Bear Sushi & Thai because I was originally going to order online, but the pictures on Grubhub were wayyyy too good to pass up. I needed the artwork and the vibes in person — and it did not disappoint. First off, it’s BYOB, which is a huge win, and there’s a liquor store on the same side of the street, so super easy. The Godzilla roll was phenomenal — the presentation alone is art, and it tasted even better than it looked. Honestly one of the most visually impressive rolls I’ve seen. The combination Pad See Ew was amaaaazing. My boyfriend is very picky and he has not stopped talking about it since. That alone says everything. Between the food, the creativity, and the overall vibe, this is 100% going to be our new go-to spot. Can’t wait to come back and try more. 🍣✨”

“I love big bear! I order all the time for delivery and I dine in. The food is fast and delicious.”

“This place is phenomenal. The Godzilla roll and the deep-fried rolls are my favorite. I recently had their Penang curry and it was delicious! Pad See Ew was also delightful! I have eaten here 3 times this week.”
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