Benihana operates a chain of Japanese teppanyaki restaurants featuring hibachi cooking performed tableside by trained chefs, along with sushi and traditional entrees. This page aggregates customer ratings and reviews to help prospective diners understand what to expect from their experience at Benihana locations.
Benihana Reviews
2.2
16 reviews
What Shoppers Say About Benihana
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
Benihana receives highly polarized reviews, with the majority of shoppers rating their experience very poorly. Common complaints center on long wait times, inconsistent seating practices, lack of traditional hibachi entertainment and tableside performance, disrespectful service from staff, and poor communication around promotions. Some long-time customers report that recent visits fell significantly short of historical standards. On the positive side, a small number of reviewers praise attentive servers and acknowledge the showmanship when it does occur, though even these reviews often note operational shortcomings like ingredient availability.
The recurring issues suggest systemic problems with service consistency, host stand management, and chef performance rather than isolated incidents. Reviewers express particular disappointment when the signature hibachi entertainment element is absent, as this appears central to the Benihana experience. Service quality varies considerably by location and server, with some describing staff as dismissive of customer concerns while others commend individual employees for going above and beyond.
Customer Reviews (16)
Sorted by: Most recentVincent M.Jul 31, 2024
My family of 9 took my grandson out for dinner at the location here and it was a total disaster. The chef did a bad job. He made everything separately so nobody got their food at the same time. Nobody got mushrooms or fried rice even though everyone ordered it. When we brought it up, he said we didn't order it, but our waiter showed us what he had written down. We asked for a manager and he came over but basically did nothing to help. We're never going back. I'm also planning to tell my friends and coworkers about what happened.
Tyler C.Jul 23, 2024
For the second year, I wanted to celebrate my birthday here. But their rigid system requires you to bring a PRINTED birthday verification to access their special chef experience. Come on, it's 2024 not 1994. Not everyone has a printer sitting at home. Plenty of other restaurants have figured out how to accept digital proof, so why can't you? Got an email basically saying I wasn't welcome to have a birthday celebration without that printed document. That's your loss because I'm done. Absolutely ridiculous and outdated.
David M.Apr 7, 2023
We had a reservation for 6pm but didn't actually get seated until 6:45. Then we sat around waiting for our server to come take our order for what felt like 35 minutes. Once we finally got our drinks and food ordered, everything was okay but nothing special. Ginger seems to be their secret weapon since it's in pretty much everything they make. There are better options out there, like Miyakos.
Marcus T.Mar 2, 2023
Really disappointed with my experience at the location here. After visiting, I sent multiple emails trying to get a response about what happened, and I only heard back once saying they'd look into it. That was back in July 2021 and I never got follow-up. On top of that, the prices are way too high for what you're getting, and there clearly weren't enough people working to handle the customers.
Monica R.May 11, 2022
Went to the restaurant in Encino. The vibe was fun and great for kids, but man, the smell after eating there was pretty overwhelming. They really need to improve their ventilation system.
Raymond S.Dec 23, 2021
What an excellent celebration! A staff member sang Happy Birthday to our 74-year-old. Our chef was fantastic and really made it special. It was a brand new experience for the little 5-year-old in our group who wasn't quite sure what to make of the whole thing. Our waiter took great care of our 8 people. The food was exactly what we expected. I'm really glad I booked ahead, especially since the online system said there were no spots available at our preferred time. When I called the restaurant directly, they got us right in without any issues.
Benihana Review FAQ
What is Benihana's average customer rating?
Benihana is rated 2.2 out of 5 by 16 shoppers on RetailCoupons.com. The reviews show a stark divide, with 63 percent giving one star and 19 percent giving five stars, indicating highly inconsistent experiences across locations and visits.
What do customers praise about Benihana?
Reviewers who rate Benihana highly commend personable and attentive servers by name, appreciate the hibachi chef's performance and cooking skill when executed well, and value the overall dining atmosphere. Some note that friendly staff and efficient service enhance the experience.
What are the most common complaints about Benihana?
The most frequent complaints involve excessive wait times even with reservations, inconsistent seating practices that some perceive as discriminatory, absence of traditional hibachi tableside entertainment and showmanship, disrespectful or dismissive server behavior, and shortage of ingredients during service. Customers also report poor execution of promotional offers, such as missing pricing information.
Do customers recommend Benihana?
Based on the review distribution, recommendations are mixed and location-dependent. Long-time customers express disappointment when recent visits don't meet previous standards. Those with positive recent experiences recommend specific servers and locations, but potential diners should research individual restaurant locations and read recent reviews before booking.
How can I write a review of Benihana on RetailCoupons.com?
Share your honest experience with Benihana to help other diners make informed decisions. Mention specific details like wait times, server names, chef performance, food quality, and whether the hibachi entertainment met your expectations. Authentic feedback about your actual visit helps the community understand what to expect.