We keep a small room and a counter that fills up fast, so a short waitlist helps us seat everyone fairly. Here’s how it works.
While we do not take reservations, you can sign up to our waitlist on Yelp page through link below. Please note we can’t add you over the phone and you have to be within 5 mile radius of the restaurant to sign up.
Make sure the phone number you enter is correct — Yelp uses it to text you when your table’s ready.
You’ll need to be within about 5 miles of Tonari — roughly the Costa Mesa area — for Yelp to let you join the list.
Check in with our host when you arrive. We only call parties up when we know they’re actually here.
Your spot on the list isn’t a reserved seating time — please keep an eye on where you stand in line. If you can’t make it within 5 minutes of our call, please call us.
We can only seat your table once your whole party has arrived.
These few guidelines keep the wait as short as possible and make sure every party gets seated fairly. Thanks for your patience and understanding — we can’t wait to have you at the counter.