service is always a cherry to the delicious food . Our server was very attentive to our needs even thought it was lunch hour And was real busy .thanks melody will be back and hope you be our server again!!! read more

I'm torn between two experiences!! We were there the other day to celebrate a birthday The cook did an amazing job entertaining us and food came out delicious. When the check was brought out I quickly glanced at it when our server brought it to me and I gave her a card to charge it on I didn't want to take away to much time from this special occasion as we were all having a conversation. Didn't feel I needed to inspect every purchase made as we all requested the same dish. I want to make it clear the amount it's not my issue! Is the added items we never requested. I did see my total before signing the merchant receipt didn't think much of it since it's been years since we've been to a Benihana just thought that perhaps prices had went up. I was still going to add a tip, but then seen that a service charge was already added of $122.62 because of the size of our party. Not till later that evening just took a look at the receipt and noticed we were charged for items we never requested. It was very frustrating being that we did go there to celebrate a birthday and for a great experience and of course we know that will cost money. Which is not the issue. But it's not ok to take advantage of that situation and up sale customers on items that were never requested. We were nickel and dime!! Honestly, we haven't been to a Benihana in years and sad to say this experience here is definitely going to keep us away. I did try calling twice the next day to inform management on both occasions i was left on hold for a long period of time. Just hoping that this doesn't happen to other customers.. read more

Benihana - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Back again!!! Thanks to Raquel! She was an amazing server! She was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. Her recommendations were spot-on, and she really added a personal touch to our dining experience. The food was also fantastic. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Highly recommend both Raquel's service and the delicious food! read more

Amazing Food & Service! Joseph was our server and he was so nice and helped explain all our questions will be back Forsure! Even the Manager who greeted us was so nice and welcoming! Really made the experience so amazing! Best Benihana i have been in! read more

This location had plenty of parking as it's in a shopping center. Walking in we were greeted nicely and the location was well kept. We had reservations at 6:30 and had about a 5 minute wait for the other party before being seated. Our server was on her job. She took drink and appetizer orders very timely. As the drinks came she began with meal orders and then our chef appeared. We were very entertained as he was super personable and set the tone for a fun evening. Our food and drinks were good. My personal preference I would have liked a little more seasoning, but glad it wasn't salty. I plan to visit again. read more

Being that I'm a weekly visitor in Santa Monica where we get outstanding service even when there back up. I would never recommend this site/location. #1. Greeting , very dry. No welcome and just petty. Decided to sit at the bar being that we own a cleaning business which we're taking a very late lunch. (Completely unaware of any lunch special) we usually always sit at a table. #2 Everyone knows the bartender runs the plate which he simply could not do on his own. We order 2 drinks it took 25 minutes after we already put our order in. Complete the drink there is over 5 members in the bar area. No one's cooking or running food. #3 Finally after 35 minutes gone by. We receive our food. Not to mention no plates ALL our food came in the same one cup. He expressed it was a ounce portion. Our food was cold as hell. How did he know we were a couple. Who says I want to eat with this person you see me order two separate meals with. We didn't need to only pay for the lunch special. If the dinner special would have been a bigger portion. Up selling is the waiters job not the customer. #4 we order vegetable. Ima say it again vegetable fried rice which has vegetables in it. We got regular fried rice told the waiter he expressed " they cook it in one large pan. It's premade " but there's no sign of a pea or carrot or even onion. Moral of the story I've never experienced this ever. Will never return. People should work harder not smarter and don't judge people. He even dismissed a whole family because it was 2 minutes to lunch being over. Horrible. read more

Benihana - This was our meal. Portions for 2 people - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

See all

Celebrated my husband birthday, and the service was great , food was great and over all had a great server help us out. Thank you Brianna for the great service read more

Yum! And some FUN!! Love me some hibachi action with the girlfriends! The service was great! The chef was funny and as always.... The food was soooo good! Thank you to Vanessa and KK for the special attention! read more

Benihana - KK doing his thang! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Great show, full of energy and loved the corny jokes from the chef. Very engaging and delicious. Server Diamond was awesome, kept my drink filled up and was not bothered at all with my special request. I have been to Benihana before in other locations. This was location was the best experience I've had. read more

Our server Raquel was great! Super friendly and fast service. Shoutout to Quail too! Sad to know he's gone, wishing him the best read more

Benihana - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Worst dinner show I've ever experienced the server was to busy looking at women asses no eye contact at all not professional at all everyone else's was very nice I will never be returning again at that location it was horrible experience at that location thanks for nothing !! read more

I will absolutely never come back here! Our party of 12 had reservations for 2 o'clock. We were sat right away, but the hibachi chef did not come out for over an hour! We ended up paying for our apps and drinks and leaving. read more

Made reservations for 2 still had to wait one hour and a half. I will definitely not go again.

We sat in the lounge area! All the staff was very attentive and super friendly. Food was fresh and just as we asked. We ordered from the Happy Hour Menu and were really surprised with the portions!! Nicolas was AMAZING!!!! The staff members that also were in the area were sweet and helpful making the ambiance on point Thank too for this nice experience , we recommend the lounge/bar area if you're looking for good food, great drinks, and a little more personalization read more

Chef Precious was my chef for the occasion and my experience was superb! She was outgoing and made my family and I laugh as she prepared our meal. When tasting my food, it was delicious! Im very particular about the way my food is cooked (extra garlic butter plz)... Chef Precious made sure I got the perfect amount of garlic butter without having to tell her. A vibe forsure! Overall great experience. I will be back & will be requesting Chef Precious! read more

Benihana - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

It just always takes forever at this location. Had reservations for 1 time got seated 15-20 mins later, not eating until an hour later. The chef Sarah's food was yummy, but she also kept burning stuff. There was no flare and the presentation was sloppy, BUT the food was delicious, minus the crunchy parts of the rice. read more

Benihana - Spicy chicken fried rice w/extra butter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

I went for my birthday The food and services were excellent I would definitely go back again

Leaving this review very disappointed. I want to start by saying that although everyone was for the most part kind, the service was still bad. As you can see by the photo I have shared, the veggie portion I received was ridiculous. I don't know what went wrong in the kitchen, but for a table of 6 and 3 different parties, none of the portions were measured out right. Our chef apologized and said he'd have the waitress bring some extra of everything over so that we may all get a decent portion of rice and veggies, but nothing ever came. While I understand accidents may be bound to happen, the chef missed a catch and his spatula fell onto my sauce containers, making the sauce splash on me. It was embarrassing and I had to clean myself up. Today was a holiday and they were busier than usual, but our waitress really was not in the mood and was easily annoyed by any of our requests and was being very short with guests. I really wish I could have enjoyed my 5 course meal, especially given I paid over $50 for it ($70 with my drink), but the portion size was ridiculous, service was not great, I got my clothes dirty, and did not feel welcomed. I am very genuinely disappointed and will need to consider returning. read more

Benihana - HIBACHI VEGETABLES - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

See all

Worst restaurant I've gone to dine-in so far for 2022. Where should I begin?!? I made a reservation (8pm) through open table a few days before 5/10/2022z arrived at the restaurant at 7:55pm on 5/11/2022 and had to wait another 20mins to be seated. What's the point of making a reservation if you're going to wait for another 20min. Mind this was on a Wednesday and not even on a Thursday or weekend. Place wasn't full. Finally got seated and we got our drinks at 9:25pm and still food wasn't served. We didn't get our food until 9:40pm. Ridiculous!!! Will never din here again!!! read more

Benihana - Got some drinks - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

See all

Great service and great food! Stephany was super attentive and welcoming. Came to celebrate my husband's birthday and would come back for any special occasion. read more

Benihana - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Christopher G. Is one of the best chefs I've experienced in a while, would recommend getting the scallops he cooks them to perfection!!! The waitress was very attentive and the whole experience was fun and interactive. read more

The service at benihana was great nice comfortable seating and are waiter was really awesome nice and very tentative. The chef was also very entertaining and funny. The onion soup was good not great felt like it was missing something but it was very comforting. The gyoza was good as well the beef gyzoa was pretty standard but the spicy chicken gyzoa was the stand out from the gyoza it had so many flavors and was very different and unqie. The lunch boat was really good everything on it was good it was the sushi tempura and the shrimp it was all standard no big stand outs. All in all a great experience. 3 stars read more

See all

NIKITA WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Thank you for making my Dad's Birthday so special! Her cooking was so good! Definitely made our first time here a memorable one. read more

Benihana - Initials made of rice for the Birthday Boy - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Joseph was so amazing I totally recommend this place. So much fun. The food is delicious. read more

Benihana - Mango Colada - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

I made reservations for lunch with my family. Our server was Ninel, and she was awesome! Great service and very attentive. The food was great! And ambience was perfect for lunch, had a great time. 10/10 recommend! read more

We are celebrating our 2A and valentine day a day before it gets crowded. The food and services is great. read more

Benihana - Benihana has a lunch boat special that is very good also the lunch duet is so good!! We are here celebrating our 2A! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Took us over 2 hours to finally receive our meal. From the time we ordered, to the time the chef arrived at our grill, it had been over 1 hour wait. Then another hour for the chef to cook. He kept leaving and coming back, taking breaks in between. They seemed very short staffed the day we went. read more

The service here is great! Julian was very attentive and helpful when it came to the menu. The food was delicious and the location was not overcrowded. Our chef Precious was hilarious during the show, and was also attentive making sure we were happy with our food. Thaaaank you Julian & Precious for your amazing service! read more

Benihana - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

This was a such a disappointment from the get go. We came here for my sister in laws birthday because this was something she has been wanting to experience and she was so excited about it. The way things occurred and the way people looked when we walked in there should've been an indication on how the night was going to go. The people literally looked miserable, from the lounge/bar area to the actual hibachi table. I've been to other hibachi places and it was quick, entertaining and good was good but here nothing was up to par. We had reservations at 730 (& yes we were a little late but maybe like 5 mins) we checked in but our party wasn't completely there so they made us wait in the lounge/bar area which is understandable because our party wasn't complete. The serve at the bar was at least quick and the bartender was nice. That's the only thing that might save this...maybe. So the rest of our party got there and we informed the hostess that they were, and she told us to wait while they get our table ready. We didn't get seated until 8:15, even though our COMPLETE party was there at 740. When we got seated at the hibachi station they were quick to serve us water but that was it. We already knew what we were ordering so we ordered as quick as we good because we were all hungry. We ordered the emperor's feast all around (easy peasy right? All the same order? There should be no mishaps right? ....wrong) it took them another 30 mins to serve us onion soup and salad..so the time now is 845. So once you receive your "apps" you would think the "show"/entree would be coming soon enough right? Nope, wrong again. They didn't start til about 920 and at this point we were all starving and irritated and didnt even want to record anything because of the disappointment we were already feeling in the wait time. So the chef was nice and polite which was cool. BUT..there was another disaster coming. So the chef made fried rice and he was passing it out to everyone and EXCEPT FOR THE BIRTHDAY GIRL which was odd because we ALL ordered the same thing right? Wrong again, the waiter/server who took our order didn't get the fried rice for her down so when the chef had the left over rice and was asking who wanted it we thought it was a joke and he looked at like no she doesn't have any rice on her order. So we all shared we her. We informed the manager and all they did was come back to give us fried rice for "free" umm isn't the fried ALREADY included in what we got so how is it free . The way they "fixed" the problem was the birthday girls meal off plus an additional 70. With all that happening we didn't get to really enjoy our food & we left at 1030! So we were there for 3 hours..3 freaking hours! I've been to a non commercial named hibachi and I was in and out of there in less than an hour and half. And mind you this Benihana's was not busy. There were so many hibachi stations open, but everyone that was occupied had faces of disappointment. So my advice if you want a fun hibachi experience find somewhere else that isn't the DOWNEY BENIHANA unless you like eating 3 hours later and with a missing option for your party. read more

Omg!!! We had diamond as our sever before our chef come out. She took our drink order asked us if we were celebrating which we WERE. (My mom's birthday) and she was the best at taking care of us and explaining the menu. Just here to give her, her flowers. Thank you diamond read more

DO NOT COME HERE!! We made reservations and they told us they were an hour behind. After speaking to multiple friends about it our bad experience, they all expressed the same issues. read more

First time here... the atmosphere was typical hibachi style seating. Service was pleasant... very friendly and professional. Food was not bad... cooked well but was a little bit too salty for my taste. Also had a colada drink, which was actually pretty good! I think it would've tasted even better if it didn't take so long to get to me. Which brings me to my one complaint... reservations were made for 815pm. Arrived 5 mins early and got seated in like 5-10mins. Tell me why our chef didn't come til like an hour later?!? OMG! The waiter did apologize continuously for the delay but what could I do... I had to wait, just like everyone else at our table. The chef finally comes, who let me add was excellent! Chef Precious was great! Very entertaining, funny, and refreshingly opinionated. She made the experience one to remember. Thank you, Chef!! read more

Benihana - Chef Precious!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

I'm sadden to even make this review. What happened to this restaurant? My family and I would normally go during the weekend for their lunch special. That lunch special is gone now. It was the best choice they had during the weekends. When we went it wasn't even packed like normal. Normally it's crazy packed like lines out the door know where to sit. But Sunday when we went no one was there. I'm not even being dramatic. There was about a few cars parked and empty inside. And that's when it hit me that something happened. YUP! No more lunch. New management, new menu, vibes are off. They should have just left it the way it was. They had business and tons of it. Staff is what brought us back and they're all gone. read more

Let me just say: I frequent the Anaheim location but this one GOT DOWN! Had the best lunch. Party of three, we sat down around 2:00pm. Our chef was Kelonnie and he was awesome!! Our party had beef, chicken, salmon, sushi, alcohol. Man. I didn't wanna leave. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Geez where do I start. Had a reservation for 7:30, seated about 7:45 or so. ok no big deal. THEN, sat starving for FORTY MINUTES before anyone came out to cook anything. I was ready to eat the damn chopsticks at this point. Soup came out. then waited another 25 before salad. Finally Nathaniel came out to cook, he was funny and personable and I calm my ass down once I had some rice in me. They asked if it was someone's birthday and we said it was my husband's. Other tables got all kinds of sun dance hullabaloo, but not us. Food was fine. BUT it's after 10:00 as I post and we had a 7:30 reservation. Do the math. read more

John was excellent cook on his half of year cooking.. He cook the food expeditiously and it was excellent.

If I could give it no stars I would been here a few times. Some good experience some not so good. This last visit topped it off. The cook or chief what ever you want to call it was a young guy not sure if he was a good fit for that job maybe they just hire anyone. At one point he starting on cooking the rice he didn't cook enough for everyone in the whole table he gave one away to someone who didn't order it and when he got to me and my partner he had none left and he kept thinking about it and asked for more ingredient to cook another small batch. Wth ‍ then when he started on the protein he had a mishap w the salt shaker it opened and there goes all the salt on the stove some of the food turned out salty yeah he was dumb I felt like complaining but nah I'll wait a few weeks and post it here. Hopefully next time we don't get him or we'll ask to be moved. read more

HAHAHAHAHHAHA, We finally get a single response on Yelp! on September 3rd, and even that response was lackluster. The fact it took them more than 3 months to respond to a review about their dinner was too slow it simply AMAZINGLY accurate as to the kind of customer service you can expect. Response was cut-off, but I imagine they are asking us to message them through their corporate website, which we did back in June... and NEVER heard back from. Maybe I'll get a response from them sometime next year. read more

The bartender is so rude we left without eating lunch. We attempted to order the taste of Benihana and the menu shows it comes with soup and salad. There are no disclaimers or asterisks near this section. Every other section clearly marks in red choose one. The bartender refuses to discuss the lack of disclaimer and stated silent until we picked one of the other. Then when we get to the protein we say chicken with our rice and the man asks again, and then a third time. How many times do we have to say chicken. At this point we have not order drinks or anything else and have been given a hard time just trying to order. I get up and leave, because I will not be paying a restaurant to treat me badly. Customer service is part of the ambiance and it was off here. It is no wonder why this place is constantly empty. read more

Came out to Benihana for my mother's Birthday Dinner. We made reservations and everything went by smoothly . They sat our party down and the server gave us a rundown of the setting. Our Chef came by and he was very generous and enlighten. Want to thank KELONNIE the chef because he made our experience phenomenal. Very friendly , full of Joy and talented. The food was just delicious and so were the drinks. We had the Benihana trios. Thank you KELONNIE for making my mother's birthday extra special . (Oooah Oooah) for any visitors that come to Benihana, you'll get lucky if you have KELONNIE as a Chef. The environment was awesome. read more

Benihana - KELONNIE making sure we're set - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

See all