Blue C is a tough one. On one hand, grabbing a “Seattle Roll” (like bagel and lox, only disgusting) from a conveyor belt is an offense in a town where there are sushi bars serving spectacular uni and even cod semen. On the other hand, cute, cheap, and innocuously weird has its place.

Blue C’s mod restaurants are certainly adorable. Color-coded plates of simple rolls, nigiri, and hot items like chicken katsu and “Tokyo sweets” (mostly puff pastries), chug by while silly videos showcase all manner of Japanese obsessives, from LARPers to rockabilly boys.

The clearly labeled and cautiously seasoned dishes will delight sushi beginners. But the biggest problem is that freshness varies: although several of our panel members have dined at the Fremont and Downtown locations frequently without incident, there have been enough outside reports of grossness to urge some caution. You could stick to the veggie rolls and hot dishes and have a reasonably satisfying lunch. Or just trust your instincts and your nose—the staff at most branches are friendly and accommodating. Maybe this is why Blue C’s popularity so far outstrips its quality.