What's in a name?

I know what you're thinking. How could a sushi restaurant located at the corner of a busy intersection, with an exhaust-belching view of the 405 North, situated at the end of the Long Beach airport runway with Jet Blue jets roaring over, in a strip mall, next to a smog check shop be anything but amazing?

Especially with the humble name of Awesome Sushi. I know, right? The place just screams great sushi.

Just when I thought raw fish didn't hold any more surprises for me.

We scarfed down three original, delicious, creative rolls. First, the appropriately named Awesome Roll. Salmon with avocado inside, topped with fresh yellowtail, slice of fresh jalapeno topped with butter ponzu and finished with fried garlic.

Next up, or down, the Brilliant Roll. Spicy imitation crab (when the real thing just won't do), avocado inside, topped with salmon, shrimp and the chef's special sauce (insert your own joke here).

And last but certainly not least, the Fire Ant Roll. Spicy tuna covered with sliced avocado and topped with spicy mayo and masago (no picture of this one because it was gone before I could reach the iPhone).

The only thing better than discovering a great new sushi place is finding one in the most unlikely of locations.

If you find yourself in the Long Beach area, check it out.

Especially if you're hungry and need your car smogged.