Hibachi-San

For those of us navigating the bustling campus life at Cal Poly Pomona, finding a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal is always a priority. Located right in the heart of the Bronco Student Center, Hibachi-San stands out as a convenient and often praised option for Japanese-inspired cuisine. While on-campus dining can sometimes be a hit or miss, Hibachi-San offers a distinctive menu, particularly excelling in its fresh poke bowls and a variety of refreshing boba teas, making it a popular choice for many students and faculty.

Hibachi-San aims to blend traditional Japanese fast food with newer concepts, focusing on fresh ingredients and on-site preparation. It’s part of the larger Panda Restaurant Group, bringing a certain level of established culinary expertise to the campus environment. What truly makes Hibachi-San a go-to for many is the flexibility and freshness of its offerings, especially their customizable poke bowls, allowing diners to create a meal tailored precisely to their preferences.

Beyond the food, the convenience of its location within the student center is a significant draw. It provides an accessible option for a quick bite between classes or a refreshing drink during study breaks. While on-campus dining can sometimes face challenges with consistency and pricing, many patrons express satisfaction with Hibachi-San's core offerings, especially their poke bowls and boba, making it a reliable spot for a flavorful and customizable Japanese-inspired meal.

Hibachi-San is strategically located within the Bronco Student Center (BSC), at 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768, USA. This prime location directly on the Cal Poly Pomona campus makes it exceptionally accessible for students, faculty, and staff, as well as visitors to the university.

Being situated in the Bronco Student Center, Hibachi-San is at the heart of campus activity, surrounded by various student services, study lounges, and recreational areas. This means it's just a short walk from most academic buildings and residence halls, providing unparalleled convenience for those looking for a quick and easy meal during a busy day on campus. The BSC itself is a central hub for student life, and dining options like Hibachi-San are easily found within its food court area.

While on-campus dining means relying on university-specific parking if you're driving from off-campus, the walkability of the campus makes it highly accessible for the primary user base. For those with a Bronco One Card or a meal plan that includes Bronco Bucks, payment is often seamless, adding to the convenience of dining at this on-campus eatery.

Hibachi-San focuses on providing quick-service Japanese-inspired meals, primarily catering to the fast-paced environment of a university campus. Their services are designed for convenience and customization:

• Dine-In Service: Located within the Bronco Student Center's food court, Hibachi-San offers seating in a shared dining area. This allows students and faculty to grab a meal and easily find a spot to eat, study, or socialize within the student center.

• Customizable Poke Bowls: A major highlight is their build-your-own poke bowl concept. Customers can "pick one fish and as many toppings as I want," with the generous policy that "the toppings are unlimited." This customization includes choices of base (sushi rice, brown rice, mixed greens, etc.), protein (spicy tuna, salmon, ahi tuna, yellowtail, octopus, shrimp, tofu), a wide array of veggies and mix-ins (onions, cucumber, avocado, crab meat, masago, green onions, ginger, seaweed mix, sesame seeds, edamame, seaweed salad), and various sauces (non-spicy, mild, medium, spicy, sriracha, teriyaki, sriracha mayo, wasabi, miso dressing).

• Boba Tea and Specialty Drinks: Hibachi-San offers a selection of popular boba teas, including "milk tea with boba and matcha option." Other drinks like Aquafina, Gatorade, and various iced teas are also available, catering to different beverage preferences.

• Japanese-Inspired Quick Bites: Beyond poke bowls, Hibachi-San offers other Japanese fast-food options, which may include aspects of teriyaki, tempura, or sushi, depending on the specific location and daily offerings. The general aim is to provide a blend of traditional Japanese food with newer concepts.

• Takeout Option: Given its fast-food nature, all items are readily available for takeout, allowing customers to grab their meal and eat it on the go or elsewhere on campus.

• Online Ordering/Delivery: While the primary mode for students might be in-person ordering, it's possible that on-campus dining services or third-party apps facilitate online ordering or delivery within the campus area, though this should be confirmed by checking specific campus dining platforms.

Hibachi-San possesses several key features that contribute to its appeal and define its identity as an on-campus Japanese eatery:

• Delicious Poke Bowls with Unlimited Toppings: This is by far the strongest highlight. Customers rave about the "really good" poke, particularly the "bowl option because I can pick one fish and as many toppings as I want. The toppings are unlimited." This level of customization and generosity is a significant draw, allowing for highly personalized and satisfying meals.

• Fresh Ingredients for Poke: Reviewers specifically mention the "albacore special" being "so fresh and melted in my mouth with that perfect texture," indicating a commitment to quality ingredients, especially in their raw fish selections.

• Good Boba Tea Selection: The boba is noted as "good," with a specific mention of "milk tea with boba and matcha option," appealing to the popular trend of bubble tea among students and young adults.

• Convenient Campus Location: Situated within the Bronco Student Center, it's an incredibly "delicious place to eat on campus," making it an easy and quick option for students and staff with limited time between classes or during breaks.

• Focus on Japanese Fast Food Concepts: Hibachi-San aims to provide a blend of "traditional Japanese food like teriyaki, tempura, and sushi and newer concepts such as poke bowls," offering a diverse array of quick and accessible Japanese flavors.

• Owned by Panda Restaurant Group: Being part of a large, established group like Panda Restaurant Group suggests a certain level of standardized quality control and operational efficiency. The original recipes are from Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, adding a culinary pedigree.

As an on-campus dining establishment, Hibachi-San's "promotions" often align with the overall campus dining system and value propositions rather than traditional, independent restaurant deals. Based on the provided information and common campus dining models:

• Unlimited Toppings as a Continuous Value Offer: The policy of "unlimited toppings" for poke bowls acts as a significant ongoing value proposition. For a fixed price, customers can load up their bowls with as many desired additions as they like, maximizing their meal's value and customization without extra cost.

• Reasonable Pricing for Portions (for some): While one reviewer noted prices as expensive for small portions, another highlighted "prices reasonable" and "portions were generous." This suggests varying perceptions, but the intention is likely to provide a fair price point for campus dining, especially when factoring in the unlimited toppings. The base prices for poke bowls are typically around $15-$18 depending on size.

• Campus Meal Plan Integration: As an on-campus eatery, Hibachi-San likely participates in Cal Poly Pomona's meal plans and Bronco Bucks program. This offers students a convenient and often discounted way to pay for their meals, effectively serving as an ongoing "promotion" by streamlining payments and potentially offering better rates than cash transactions for meal plan holders.

Specific daily specials or limited-time offers would typically be advertised within the Bronco Student Center or through Cal Poly Pomona's dining services communications channels. It would be advisable for students and campus visitors to look for signage at the counter or check the university's dining website for any current promotions.

For those located at or visiting the Cal Poly Pomona campus, getting in touch with Hibachi-San is straightforward:

Address: Bronco Student Center, 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768, USA

Phone: (909) 869-4602

Mobile Phone: +1 909-869-4602

These contact numbers can be used for general inquiries, confirming operating hours (which are typically 9 AM to 2 PM Monday-Friday during academic terms), or for any specific questions regarding their menu offerings. As an on-campus location, directly visiting during operational hours is also a common and efficient way to engage with their services.

For the vibrant community of Cal Poly Pomona, including its students, faculty, and staff, Hibachi-San is a highly suitable and often appreciated dining option. Its primary strength lies in its unparalleled convenience and strategic location within the Bronco Student Center, making it an ideal choice for quick, accessible meals between classes, during study breaks, or whenever hunger strikes on campus.

Despite some mixed reviews regarding overall value or occasional inconsistencies, the general consensus highlights the "really delicious" poke bowls, especially the highly customizable option with "unlimited toppings." This customization allows diners to tailor their meals to their exact preferences and dietary needs, a significant advantage for a diverse campus population. The freshness of ingredients like the "albacore special" and the availability of popular boba tea choices further cement its appeal as a go-to spot for refreshing and satisfying Japanese-inspired fast food.

While some may find the portions small for the price, the sheer convenience, combined with the ability to load up on favorite toppings, often balances the equation for many. For those seeking a quick, customizable, and generally reliable Japanese-inspired meal right on campus, Hibachi-San serves as a valuable and popular dining solution, making campus life just a little bit tastier and more convenient for the Cal Poly Pomona community.

Hibachi-San

Bronco Student Center, 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768, USA