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Early bird specials are often the domain of thrifty seniors. Not so at Cherin, which pulls in young dollar-stretchers with discounts that extend well into the evening hours. Sushi prep takes place at a small, utilitarian counter in the rear of the sand-colored, boxcar-narrow room. Minus rudimentary gyoza, miso soup, and seaweed salad, the menu consists of fresh sushi and sashimi. Traditionalists might focus on appropriately petite and compact single-topping nigiri. The well-priced special rolls are flashy but not completely unorthodox, banana and apple fillings excluded. Most elaborate on standard crab, tuna, avocado, and salmon themes. The avocado-robed Cheps roll spikes yellowtail and eel with crunchy Rice Krispie-ish nuggets made from tempura batter, and the Parker roll wraps tuna, crab, salmon, and rice in yet more fish, sliced and splayed on the wooden serving board like bright, overlapping dominos. Early birds get much more than the worm here, at prices that undercut most prepackaged deli sushi. — Krista Garcia

For $12.95 you can snag any four rolls or nine pieces of sushi or sashimi with one roll, Mon., 5 p.m.—midnight; Tue.—Thu., 5 p.m.—8 p.m.; Fri.—Sat., 5 p.m.—7:30 p.m.

Parker roll, $8.95