Dude, I hear you!! I grew up in and still work in San Clemente. I still hit up Taka'o every couple of weeks or so.

Can you imagine the Tataki sauce on a fish taco. WOW.

Anyway, I live in Solana Beach. There is a really good place right next to Pizza Port on 101 called Station Sushi. Just north of Lomas Santa Fe. The best sashimi I've ever had. I think they beat Taka'o in a roll to roll competition, but the Tataki puts Taka'o over the top.

Station has the "surfer" vibe with lots of beach paintings and half of the line up you just saw in the water behind the counter making your roll.

Give them a try, you'll like it.

Dammit, I want Tataki now