Q: positive

A: My first visit to the Half Shell came during a gas outage that left them unable to cook anything. The bartender's recommendation of the Ahi Tuna Caesar was excellent and uncooked of course. My second visit (with Mom) was to satisfy a need for a quick meal and at a near-by location. While these are not always the best circumstances to visit any establishment, I am always psyched when it turns out to be a good experience. We ordered the happy hour seafood nachos. Not only was the price perfectly appropriate, but the nachos were exceptionally tasty and in a portion that proved to be too much for the two of us to finish. To be fair, I could not remember the server at all, which is not itself a bad thing. Sometimes the food needs to be raised up on a pedestal so it can be fairly evaluated without the distraction of bad (or good) service. I have no doubt that my two visits here would have inspired a 5 star rating had the service been great each time (because the food has been), but as-it-stands, the service was just okay, thus the four stars.

Q: negative

A: I give it a 2 based on atmosphere. It is like going to the flea market of books and the customers act in kind. I love going to bookstores, my husband is a writer so it is one of our hobbies... I enjoy looking for rare copies from great quirky writers and then sitting and drinking in the scene and this IS NOT that kind of place. Example- the only Cormac McCarthy they had was The Road, which I viewed while I saw kids shoving on each other and a dog barking at the front door.

Q: positive

A: FRESH high quality sushi...The chopsticks are GROSS balsa wood, which is so rough on the tongue... I actually would rather eat off a spoon or fork at this sushi bar. PLEASE IF YOU ARE READING YOUR REVIEWS ... GET BETTER CHOPSTICKS!!!! The food is good, but Lee was the best sushi chef ever and we were told he moved to Auston Texas... Lucky Texans! SPICY SOFT SHELL CRAB HANDROLL - you can order it with no rice. The new sushi chefs are doing a nice job, especially look for Young... our choice of a Sushi Chef these days with Lee gone:(

Q: negative

A:
Marginal at best. I expected great things based on the Yelp reviews and from asking locals. What a disappointment. I was not turned off by the dated decor; it's rather charming in its own funky way. Besides, you get some of the best Mexican food at the no-frills places. However, this food was sub par. The salsa was watery and I could have made the enchiladas much better myself. Also, I was less than impressed with my margaritas. I tried two different varieties to be sure :) but that was a waste. Absolutely nothing stood out about this place. Where, oh where is the great Mexican food in Phoenix/Scottsdale?