I really wanted to like this place and give it a chance after what they've done to improve and what my friends said about this place. After all, sometimes I want something more than my 25 cent ramen lunches.
The restaurant has nice decor and is relatively clean. Music playlist is alright and not too loud. The host and servers were very friendly and prompt to take your orders, get your waters, and get your bill ready for you.
But if college students cook the food, you're going to get college student quality food. BF had the spicy miso and I got the tonkatsu black. I was drawn in by the whole "chef special" and "limited quantity per day" in its description, and let me tell you: good thing it's limited quantity because it is absolutely trash. Unbelievably salty and overwhelmingly garlicky. Everything was so strong that it gave me a headache and lucky me still has the headache hours later. Everyone has already complained about the ONE piece of chashu and the half of an egg, so I won't go on about that. What did catch my eye was how my egg's yolk looked. I get that I shouldn't be expecting a freshly soft boiled every time, but it was obvious that my egg had been sitting around in the air for awhile, because the "soft" part congealed and became gelatinous and it just looked gross (the feel when an extra half of a soft boiled egg is $1 but a case of 18 eggs at Walmart was 99 cents). There was also just too much scallions as a topping. I usually try very hard to not waste the broth because broth is usually the most intricate and delicious part of a meal -- but my tongue just couldn't handle the abuse anymore.
Bonus: they have free cotton candy after your meal.
It was my first time at Ozu and I don't see myself coming back any time soon.