Benihana

Approval Rate: 68%

68%Approval ratio

Reviews 49

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  • by

    tiffanyjohnson

    Mon Nov 15 2010

    we went to benihana in downtown Houston location in Texas a few days for bithday celebration. It was very busy when we got there. We had to wait for seating. The new Chinese Gerneral Manager Mike Ching was being very helpful. He took part in hosting and sat customers. The food was excellent. The server was friendly, and the chef was doing a lot of tricks to entertain us. But, the assistant african american manager, kena, was super lazy. She stood in the corner of the restaurant next to our table starring at customers for the whole time. It seemed as if the restaurant business had nothing to do with her. We noticed that she did not want to reach out her hands to help customers for refill drink orders. We asked her for refill when our server was busy with another table. She did not feel like helping us. Instead, she went to our server and followed the server for refill. When everyone was singing happy song in Japanese to us for birthday celebration, she walked away from our table. What a... Read more

  • by

    keithzachary

    Sun Nov 07 2010

    Benihana slices and dices their customers as well as their vegetables...We had a nightmare at Benihana's in Maple Grove, MN. When we called for reservations the host told us there were none available but to come in and "they would fit us in soon", not being honest about the fact that we would be strung along to stay with "just ten more minutes" every time we asked. We called the other Benihana in Golden Valley (the other Minneapolis Benihana's) to see if they had a table and they were honest saying simply, "tonight we are full, the next reservation is at 9PM" and they did not offer to "work us in." We told them of our experience at Maple Grove and they said it was dishonest to do that to us. Then we confronted the manager, a Stacey Okubo, about this and she said, "Oh I wish I knew who had told you that" as if it wasn't their practice. But then, unbelievably, as we were leaving two hours after waiting, we overheard another party being told the same lie about being fit in. We stoppe... Read more

  • by

    babygam7

    Sun Sep 05 2010

    My family decided not to stay and eat because the next available grilling table was three hours away. Before we left, I asked the lady at the check in table to validate my parking ticket and she said that since we just arrived and didn't get a table the parking clerk would just let us out without charging money for parking. That wasn't the case. After the parking clerk scanned the parking ticket she demanded 5.00 dollars. She printed the parking receipt and told us to go back and talk to Benihana for a refund. Of course, the lady at the front desk responded that they don't own the parking lot and can't offer a refund. And, no apology for saying that the parking lot wouldn't charge us. She should have just validated my parking ticket. So, I don't think my family will go back there anytime soon.

  • by

    hollywoodchat

    Tue Aug 17 2010

    My family and I took my sister to Benihana on Peachtree Street in Midtown and it was the worst experience ever. The service was very terrible! The waiter was very slow and it took forever to get our soup and salad to begin. It was extremely hot in there to the point that we couldn't enjoy the bad food. My chicken and shrimp was dry and hard; and my sister's noodles were very hard. The only thing that everyone ate was the rice and that's after adding extra garlic butter and soy sauce. I will never return to this place again. Eat there at your own risk!

  • by

    cgarcia305

    Tue Jun 15 2010

    I have only ever gone to the Benihana here in Miami Beach,Fl and I have to say this is the best restaurant experience I have ever had. I go atleast twice a month and its just amazing! I have taken all of my family members there for many different occasions and they have all loved it! Matter of factly my husband and I are taking out his parents there on Sunday Fathers day! Dont let others bad experiences take you away from experiencing it yourself. I do understand that not all places have the best of staff but dont bring the restaurant down by saying its a "bad experience" . This place is awesome!!! I guess you just have to find the right one! The staff is awesome, the food UNBELIEVABLE! annnndddd let me not forget the creative Chefs with their twirly knives!!! I loooovveee this place!!!! And so does everyone I know!!!

  • by

    ilovemymaltese_snuggles

    Wed Jun 09 2010

    I went here with family and everything was excellent- the food and the service. Delicious cuisine. Everyone should give this place a try. The staff were very accomodating. We will be back soon.

  • by

    erreview

    Sun May 09 2010

    My wife and I went the new Benihana just opened in Plymouth Meeting, PA. The food was suck and the service was suck as well. I order a seafood plate it has shirmp, scallop and calimari. They were all over cooked. The Fillet Mignon that my wife ordered was overcooked as well. We told the waitress, and she was kind of agree and laughing, no apologize or what-soever. They hired all Mexican chef (nothing against Mexican), but they don't know how to cook, they barely speak English, no trick at all. It was so boring. Overall, it was a very very disapponting experience. We will never go back to eat.

  • by

    bigjohnthegian_t

    Sat Apr 24 2010

    The only reason i rated it bad instead of terrible ,was because it was "free"! OK YALL, this was my 3rd attempt @ benihana-3 strikes an i'm out!!! NEVER AGAIN,YES I'VE LEARNED MY LESSON! FINALLY!!! The 1st time i treated my family to benihanas for mothers day, no one enjoyed the food and the bill was extremely high! the 2nd time i treated my girlfriend and the food was still bad but the party we were seated with was arguing with the manager and we were told we could leave and not to worry about the ill it would be taken care of -note, this was told to us by the party arguing not benihana, so i assumed they paid our tab-who knows? i was just ready to go an find a better place to eat at, i think we just did make it in time to ruby tuesdays. The 3rd and last experience was on my birthday! I got out of class early so i decided to use my free birthday coupon for benihana. I INVITED A COUPLE ALONG WITH ME SO I WOULD'NT BE ALONE. I presented my coupon to the waitress and her facial expression... Read more

  • by

    cindten

    Sat Mar 20 2010

    Went to the Benihana in Carlsbad tonight for my daughter's 17th birthday. I hadn't been in decades. My memories were of an upscale, fancy, exotic experience. Not so tonight. It was loud, cheap, and ridiculously overpriced. The "chef" did not put on a show at all, she sucked!! I was very disappointed. My daughter told me later when we were alone she had wanted to get out of there and just go to In and Out. The food was plain, overcooked and just not "the experience" I was expecting. I will "NEVER" go back to a Benihana again!!!

  • by

    enight

    Mon Feb 15 2010

    hmm where to start? The chef was great, very funny dude Started was good Main was okay.....Just okay...nothing fab at all

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    abcfuckbenihan_a

    Sat Jan 16 2010

    Benihana Suck. Food serivce suck and the manager suck ball. He would do much. B/c he busy talking to customer who also way come in. Why go to Benihana and spend a lot more. A way better place to go is Hibachi Grill in Westminster They have a better service and manager then benihana has nothing beside terrible management and food service. *Hint* Benihana only want money and your tips that what they only care about. Then your service. In plus it slow service no matter what. I see people complain and leave. They have table open they just dont clean it. So dont really waste your time on the weekend or night or any kind of party their because it wouldnt safity you. BENIHANA,BROOMFIELD,CO

  • by

    oliver22

    Mon Jan 11 2010

    This restaurant has really, really BAD food. The quality is poor and all the finished items, whether they be rice, noodles, chicken, beef or shrimp taste exactly the same. The "show" put on by the knife wielding cook is embarassing. I can't imagine anyone but children under the age of 8 enjoying it. Dreadful describes it.

  • by

    dredneck

    Thu Aug 27 2009

    If you like Benihana then you really haven't experienced good hibachi - so you don't know any better - its not your fault. :) But really.... try someplace else. This was my second time at Benihana (I give everything at least 2 attempts). As I found out on this second time, it wasn't simply just a bad first time or an off day --- it is just bad. Taste like Hibachi 101 - not good, at all. The "chefs" don't even really season anything themselves table side or use a mixtures of sauces, everything is assaulted with a pre-made seasoned butter they throw in giant clumps on everything. (might have even been in my drink) The table chef did not do one single act that you would expect to see even a new hibachi chef in training do. (oh wait - he did lightly tap his spatula on the grill when he poured the eggs from a bowl onto the grill, he may have even grunted a bit) The one trick he did attempt is a standard fare hibachi classic - The Onion Volcano! So your expecting a nice onion tower ... Read more

  • by

    arrybad

    Sat May 16 2009

    The worst restaurant experience we ever had. 12 of us went to benihana in San Diego for a birthday party celebration which was ruined by the staff. After waiting for 1 1/2 hrs, we were told we were going to be seated in two tables next to each other. The hostess indicated that 6 people were going to be seated first and the next 6 two minutes later. The second group got seated 15 minutes later and in a different room. We complaint even to the manager who said he could not guarantee seating even thought they were two tables together when the first group was seated. It looks like the other customers are first for them. Everyone in the first group was texting and calling us to find out if we were seated. Let me note that the waiters and the cooks were great. The food was good. Not seating together was horrible!

  • by

    silver_eagle_252

    Tue Apr 28 2009

    I've been to Benihana in a few different cities and it seems to be a hit or miss thing as to whether you get an entertaining teppan chef. Lately, I've noticed that most of the chefs aren't even asian anymore. All in all, it's always better to go with a group of 6 to 8 people and you'll have a better time. Benihana is overpriced and the food is nothing special, but where else can you get a souvenir Buddha drink cup with a hole in his bellybutton for the straw?!

  • by

    naimazaheer

    Tue Apr 28 2009

    Really just a waste of money, WAYYYYY OVERPRICED, food was mediocre, the service was absolutely TERRIBLE, the hostesses were NOT hospitable, chef diddnt do any real tricks halfway through we stopped paying attention to him , and they wont let you substitute ANYTHING like say you want shrimps instead of chicken NOPE , OVERALL just a BAD experience, just skip it. I went to the one on butterfeild in Lombard, really dont go.

  • by

    mojo3e29

    Thu Apr 16 2009

    We just came from the Benihana in Washington D.C. and all I can say is what a disappointment! When we arrived we were a little late for our reservation because of traffic and parking. (We stayed 1.5 miles away from the restaurant and took 30 mins to get there) So when we arrived they told us that it would be an hour wait, and the place wasn't even crowded. They did end up seating us a little earlier then that so that was good. When we were seated they gave us glasses for water, and the glasses were dirty. They had lipstick residue on them and finger prints. Can you say Eww! So of course they gave us new ones, but with no apology for the dirty glasses. So then the food come, and we all were thinking at least the food will be good. Well that was not the case. The food was the worst part. The rice was soggy, and the chicken was dry. The sauces that they give you are ginger and some sort of mustard sauce. The ginger was just ok, and the mustard... Well lets just say I was done ... Read more

  • by

    zoajaime

    Wed Mar 25 2009

    El manager y El hosted son racistas; si usted es latino y lo hacen esperar por mas de 10 minutos debe preocuparse; este atento; puse un complaint en la administracion y lo unicoq paso fue q me enviaron un gift certificate como si eso fuera suficiente; no me van a comprar con eso; lo q no deseo es q otra persona pase por lo q yo pase, be carefully

  • by

    mviana

    Fri Oct 10 2008

    The Benihana that I went to had a very bad manager that could not substitute green tea by anything else of the same cost with the excuse that it was not a chargeable item. The service was Ok and the waitress was nice. This one was in Minnesota, Maple Grove.

  • by

    apesintheak

    Mon Aug 18 2008

    The Benihana in my area has friendly customer service and are quick to seat you. The performance is pretty nice and I enjoy seeing my meal made in front of me. The food is delicious. The ambience is a little awkward. They have really, really low lighting and I don't particularly like the layout of the room. All the tables and sets of chairs are far spaced between each other. I suppose there's a good reason for that, but it just feels awkward to be so spaced out between the other guests. The prices are way to expensive. They definitely deserve high prices, but not THAT high.

  • by

    rxered

    Mon Aug 18 2008

    fancy

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    jboogie

    Thu Jun 05 2008

    The service was extremely slow and the cook did not any special tricks. We were not impressed at all. Then to add pain to misery, they overcharged out credit card! we signed for one amount but noticed triple that amount charged to our card. They are thieves and criminals and if there were negative stars we would give it to them.

  • by

    zhunter

    Wed Apr 23 2008

    We took my son to dinner at Benhihana San Diego last night, and it was a disaster. The service was extremely slow, they brought out the wrong food for people at our table 3x and we had to ask them 4x to sing happy birthday to our son. In addition to the terrible service, our tableside chef did not put on show which seemed to annoy everybody at our table. We did see a glimpse of a few some great shows being put on at other tables, so we must have gotten a lame CHEF. We will not be going back again and it was really disappointing since this was my sons birthday and first trip to Benihana. Side Note: You'll have to vallet park since there is only a few self parking spots.

  • by

    alanlattke

    Sat Jan 05 2008

    I dined at a Beni on the 79th street causeway in normandy Isle - that would skew it. Great view and company at the time made for a meal I do not remember!

  • by

    luckystar2100

    Thu Nov 29 2007

    I actually went to Benihana Chandler too on a Friday night and I had a wonderful time! The food was totally worth the wait. Our chef was so funny and really knew what he was doing with those knives.  My chicken teppanyaki was tender and fresh I also split their famous Las Vegas roll with a friend.  My friends and I had great drinks all night long; my favorite was the Benihana Punch! I thought it was perfect for a group to head out for dinner and would recommend it.

  • by

    ellaellaaaa

    Wed Oct 03 2007

    I went to Benihana Chandler. The hostess that seated my husband and I was very nice, cheerful, and talkative. I enjoyed her. The chef was good and the food was okay. I was VERY disapointed at how rude and inconsiderate the manager was. HE quoted me a 45 minute wait and I was standing the the "lounge" for 1 hour and 35 minutes. I don't reccomend Chandler Benihana.

  • by

    scottuhlinger

    Mon Apr 02 2007

    Benihana of Pittsburgh took a saturday night reservation of 8:30pm for my wife, friends and I. 35 mins later we were still standing with no apology and the sorry excuse that it was Saturday evening. We left without an apology. Worth it? Not a chance.

  • by

    bri719

    Sat Oct 14 2006

    always tastes delicious and a good place to enjoy watching your food made to your liking. they practically invented "teppan-Yaki". not the most inexpensive but tasty

  • by

    vlincoln

    Sun Sep 24 2006

    My first visit to Benihana in Minneapolis 9/23/06, and my last trip. A fair meal, WAY overpriced at $40 per person, cooking 'entertainment' for a serious diner does not outweigh the value of taste and presentation. The kids loved the 'flying'food, and the clanging noisy knives, but as an adult, once experienced, I will never return. YMMV

  • by

    frogger20190

    Wed Mar 29 2006

    It's expensive...but it's fun. You'd be better off finding a non-chain Japanese steakhouse in your town, though.

  • by

    davenavy

    Tue Aug 02 2005

    I Went To Benihana In San Francisco Japan town Not Only Where There No Japanese People Working there The Chefs Were All Mexican...The Waitresses Were chineses And I( Got A Nasty Case Of Food Poisoning Which I Currently Have A Lawsuit for I Encourage you All PLEASE EAT SOME WHERE SAFE!!!!!!!!

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    candacec

    Wed Apr 20 2005

    The ginger sauce there is the BEST I've ever had. The other food is really good too as is the service and atmosphere. The only drawback, if there is one, is the seating. You may share a table with people you don't know.

  • by

    raterx

    Sat Nov 20 2004

    Top-notch, fresh, great. Get a show with your food. Kids love it.

  • by

    lanceroxas

    Thu Sep 23 2004

    Consistent. I love the hibachi cooking. Great bang for the buck.

  • by

    elise_truman

    Thu Sep 23 2004

    I love restaurants with the novelty of a Japanese hibachi grill at your table. Every chef I've encountered at the chain has been artfully dexterous and delightful to watch prepare food. The food is very salty, but pleasing. This isn't the place for when you want an intimate date, as it can get loud at your eight person table. Instead, it is a lively place to take a group of friends for a change of pace.

  • by

    mgv92115

    Wed Sep 22 2004

    Always a great meal...Best Fried Rice!

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    rainman12

    Thu Aug 26 2004

    Pure garbage. I got food poisoning from eating their dreck and will never go back again. You'd be better off going to a local Japanese restaurant. People are under the impression that because some 'schmo is slicing and dicing beef and onions in front of them, it must be good. Wrong.

  • by

    faa07a17

    Thu Jun 24 2004

    Are you people all nuts?? I can live with you clowns saying Chi-Chi's is good mexican food and Little Caesar's has good pizza but this place is an abomination. In Japan, food not only has to look good, taste good and smell good it must be presented well and have pleasant texture once in the mouth. Get some good japanese food one day and you would be embarassed to go back into this place. In Japan, it would be paramount to sitting in front of the greasy, pimply teen flipping your burgers at McD's

  • by

    abichara

    Wed Mar 17 2004

    Interesting dining experience. The chef's prepare your food right in front of you, which is entertaining. Lots of grilled meats and vegetables, very healthy food generally. Benihana's isn't a place to go every weekend, but it's decent.

  • by

    chrisk1177

    Wed Mar 17 2004

    Surprisingly pretty good.

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    cocopaloma

    Wed Feb 25 2004

    Yummy, entertaining, and they have several healthy options

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    bugahane

    Sun Nov 16 2003

    Another restaurant we do not have in my city. :( I've eaten there before and it's delicious. Tender, flavorful steaks, stir-fried vegetables. Of course the cooking at the table is fun. The chefs are very talented with the knives. I've always wondered if a knife has ever slipped out of their hands and a customer has gotten stabbed before. Excellent food though !!

  • by

    rebelyell1861

    Mon May 05 2003

    What the heck is this place?? I've never heard of this place from anyone or anywhere. And for this they get one star because an obscure restaurant should in no way be second on this list.

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    mzchris619

    Fri Mar 14 2003

    The food is excellent. The atmosphere is exotic. It's an experience to remember!

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    snowmaid

    Tue Feb 25 2003

    Food hot and tasty. I actually go for the show though. I keep waiting for the meat to miss the hat.

  • by

    mrzappa

    Mon Feb 17 2003

    Great food but HELLA EXPENSIVE!!!

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    jacobmurph

    Tue Aug 14 2001

    Freshest ingredients, most tender steak I've had in a long time. Cooked to order!

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    afterglow70

    Wed Jun 20 2001

    If you want a show, it is fun.

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    jhrk1068om

    Thu Nov 11 1999

    Big portion but sucks