From my own experiences yes there are good sushi/sashimi restaurants at Narita BUT they are on the land side. If the transit time is long enough I just ask for a shore pass, from passport control/immigration, and you will be able to find a few good restaurants.

Your 2.5 hours transit time should be just enough but I don't know what time you will be there and I don't know the opening and closing time of these restaurants.

The lounges are fine. Since you should have more than enough food on your flights flying business class, just relax at the lounge. They have good snacks there, including simple sushi.

ben, with 2.5 hours, why not have a leisure sushi meal at the sushi bar close to gate 34(united). i've been outside the terminal, and i feel that the sushi bar at gate 34 is better.

ok, reread your post. delta. if its too difficult to go to gate 34, then you might be better off in your own area.

if you do go to gate 34, try to get a seat in front of mamoru san. he is a very jovial fellow, and is the best english speaking chef. greet him with "sawasdee krup".

top off your meal with ara jiru, the very best fish miso soup i've had anywhere.

Thanks-have noted all. I'll see how far gate 34 is. I may be pretty rummy from a flight from SFO to leave airport. Is that chef Thai?

mamoru san is nihonjin. its like a private joke between us, but he'll enjoy your greeting. he is the big sushi there, and he is at the far end of the counter. just ask the staff to be seated in front of mamoru san..