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We used to come to Benihana quite a bit back in the day for my husband's birthday. He would always get those birthday coupons, and apparently Benihana remembered us because... welp, he got another one! So off we go! Walking back into Benihana was definitely a little trip down memory lane. And honestly? It hasn't changed all that much over the years. Same concept, same hibachi experience, and pretty much the same good food. We went in the afternoon, so it wasn't crowded--which was nice because we didn't have to wait around. BUT... I will say, part of the fun of Benihana is watching the other tables, hearing people celebrate, and feeling that little birthday-party energy throughout the restaurant. Since it was so quiet, some of that excitement was missing. Our chef was entertaining and kept things fun at our table. The food was good, and I really had no complaints. Our waitress was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. Overall, everything went well. Nothing over-the-top or wildly different from what we remembered, but it was nice to return to a place that has been part of our birthday tradition over the years. The birthday coupon brought us back, but the memories made the trip worth it. And yes... if another birthday coupon shows up next year, I'm sure we'll be having this same conversation again.
Went for the $15.99 Power Lunch. Got the steak protein which was an uncharted but I wanted to treat myself. The tableside show was fun as always. A little truncated due to the 45 minute or less guarantee. Food was alright. A little less than what I expected portion wise but I was here for the show so it didnt bother me. Wait time was quick. Didn't wait more than 10 minutes and got sat with another party. Only thing that bothered me was the lady in the other party was a pescatarian and she saw the chef handle her shrimp after he handled our steak without wiping anything down. Allegedly its allowed because of the 45 minute policy. She brought it up and the resto tried to make things right.
The food was good :) steak and the shrimp were delicious. The chicken a little dry. The salmon tasted very fresh and was very good. The "sign up for a free appetizer" did not work at all and now I'm signed up and I don't think they remembered to add the points to my account so I would skip that entirely. They seemed very understaffed & like our waitress had a few tables all very far apart from each other. . It was about 1.5 between sitting and ending the meal so it's not a quick meal but it was fine since it was with family. Overall it was a good experience due to our cook and the company we had - everyone at the table was very friendly. The restaurant wasn't quiet due to the shows but it was still very nice where we were seated, just loud in general.
We came in last night to enjoy some great food and atmosphere at Benihana's. Our reservation was for 7:15pm and were seated immediately. One of the best features besides the food and entertainment is the birthday coupon you receive! The food was amazing with ordering the Splash n Meadow which is the steak and colossal shrimp which is always good. Our server was Denisse and she was amazing, providing excellent customer service and being so professional. You definitely want to sit in her section! Looking forward to returning again for another great meal.
One of horrendous experience I've had in my life. I give one star for the chef who entertained us and the food was at least good. Otherwise this place deserves ZERO star. We made a reservation a month ago for 6:30pm and wasn't seated until 7:10pm. We were finally able to eat around 7:45pm. Where we were seated, in the back room with no window, with boxes stashed with a trash of energy drink can I found food bits from the last round and the table oily. I understand the placement but the cleanliness and tidiness has to be corrected. As I started eating the rice, I found something in my rice which was a black, gooey wax thing. The server didn't even apologize, he just brought the new one. I also found our server not too kind when the ventilation is extremely loud in the room how he talks is smaller volume than a mosquito can. There was an elderly in our group but no one also could hear him. You must hate your job but it's none of our business. The restroom was dirty with all toilet paper on the floor. Can't any of the host/hostess clean while they are chitchatting and waiting for the table? Extremely bad management.
So on Wednesday Oct 21.2026 we decide to take our son for his 21birthday to Benihana's our reservation was for 7:15. when we got there they notify us that they were short staff if we wanted to sit for 30 min on the side table . We thought not a big deal we waited so they finally came over to to take us to finally eat and experience to what we thought a food show , Waiter came sit us down brought water came over took our order but forgot to ask if we wanted any drinks soda , hard liquor something we told him we haven't had any drinks he said we will bring menu again but he never did ok we continue to wait another 30 min passed so the chef finally showed up intruduce himself started preparing doing his trucks but completely forgot that some of the people were alllergic to seafood ok not a big deal let's switch the plates no he forgot some of the ingridients in his cart 2 portions of rice and chicken and some other stuff so he kept going to go look for his assistant do they can get him the items . by this time we were all over it . not hungry any more from all the smoke , out eyes were itchy and burning . the worse experience of my life in a restaurant setting .they need better ventilation on top of that our clothes were all filled with smoke and by the time we got to the car the car started to smelll like smoke . So if you go to Benihanas make sure to take a mask and some googles you will need them . We mention to the manager all of the issues on that night but she seem like she didn't really care but gave us 30 dollars off on a check that total 390 dollars .This place really sucks !! Wayne our server was great very apologetic but it was out of his control all of the VS this chan of restaurants have ... good luck !!!
We came for the power lunch. We checked in with the hostess who told us to have a seat in the lounge area. ( we did not make reservations) we waited for around 10 minutes which is ok they were probably waiting on more people to come in to sit us at our table. Nice seated we were promptly greeted by our waitress who took our drink order. For the power lunch you get a starter ( soup or salad) fried rice (which is cooked in the kitchen in the back) and your choice of protein (we got the filet mignon) steak comes with mushrooms. You also get veggies onions and zucchini. If you are use to the "show" at Benihanas you will not be getting that however our 5 year old thought it was so much fun and now wants to be a chef. Services was attentive and the cook was very nice. We will be back.
We came for happy hour and sat in the self seating lounge area. It took about 15 minutes for someone to come by to greet us and drop off menus. While sitting near the sushi bar, I noticed multiple rolls sitting on the counter for a long period of time before being served, which stood out to me. For food, we ordered the Taste of Benihana which includes a starter, appetizer, and entree for $39. The deal is available every day for bar/lounge seating only. I also ordered a burger from the happy hour menu and I was told it would take about 30 minutes. After an hour went by, it never came. When we asked for the check, the server realized the burger had been missed. At that point, I didn't want it anymore but we were still charged for it. The server said they put a patty on the grill so it would be fresh. We had to wait another 5/10 mins even though we were ready to leave. The overall cleanliness of the restaurant could be better, the lounge area didn't feel maintained and the bathrooms were also out of toilet paper.
We had such an amazing experience at Benihana! Chef Precious was incredibly patient, engaging and worked so hard to make our meal fun and memorable. She made everyone at the table feel included especially my six-year-old son, who had the best time watching the cooking show and interacting with her. Our server, Rudy, was just as wonderful and attentive, friendly always making sure we had everything we needed. The combination of Chef Precious and Rudy made for such a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere. Thank you both for making this such a special experience for our family.
I recently visited Benihana for a birthday celebration and wanted to share my experience to help others plan ahead. The service was truly a highlight--everyone was warm, attentive, and made the experience feel special, which I really appreciated. I did visit using the birthday offer, and while I was excited about it, I wish there had been a bit more clarity around what was included. Some items I thought were standard ended up being considered add-ons, which changed the overall expectation of the "birthday treat." It wasn't a bad experience at all, just a little different from what I anticipated. I also think it would be helpful if guests were given a bit more space when it comes to selecting gratuity, as it can feel a little pressured in the moment. Overall, I still enjoyed the atmosphere and the kindness of the staff. I would definitely recommend coming here for the experience--just be mindful of the details of any promotions so you can fully enjoy your visit without surprises.
Always coming to this benihana since its relative closer distance to DTLA, and it is far more an dining experience than just food, so always enjoy chef's demo and interactions and of course the fire exhibition! :) Service is good but really really slow, it took us over an hour to get our first real food items, so can definitely use some improvement. Our chef was very friendly and directly to the point, my rice was really delayed for some reason as well But overall, the ambiance is more live food performance with a round table set up. Been to many benihana over the years, definitely always a good experience and good to stop by here for special occasions! Also sign up for friends with benefits, they are actually a great loyalty program that worth the value
We came here on Thanksgiving and were greeted by a warm and welcome host that elevated our dinning experience. The waitstaff were attentive, polite, abd friendly. Our chef was entertaining, engaging, and cooked our food to perfection. The food was full of flavors, delicious, and well seasoned. We had a great dinning experience and will be back!
It was our first time here and let's say this place left an impression on us. We placed a reservation for 7 they texted me at 6:37 if I was on my way. When we got there they made us wait which I direct you to the early text. When we finally sat down they took our order they try and up sell you on everything. Water, butter for the food so we didn't know what to order or how it worked and we did say that. Our chef didn't arrive until 7:45 and it was loud in our area and he didn't have a loud voice. He cooked our meal and did his whole hoopla and the kids really enjoyed it. Oh I must add we only had 5 ppl at our table. We felt the chef didn't show much enthusiasm like the other chefs. We ate our food paid and left. Overall it was an ok experience that honestly I could have never attended and I would have been fine. Maybe our experience was average but I won't be visiting a Benihana's anytime soon.
2 years ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Thank you, Tamayah! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great…
2 years ago
Saturday night: don't bother coming here. They overbook. You will be seated an hour after reservation time. Your server will forget about you. No one actively listens to the customer needs. The women's bathroom is always disgusting. Tonight, I had Chris as my chef. Dude talks too much and doesn't listen. He wanted to charge me for garlic butter. So did the sorry ___ managers there. I have never paid for garlic butter. This is the only Benihana that does this. My reservation was at 7;45. I wasn't seated until almost 9pm. I want the regional manager to reach out. If this bunch can't get it together, fire them and start over. There are some people here like I don't know why you haven't been fired. The chefs need to learn how to season the food. The cook didn't start cooking until after 9:30. They do not serve sauces unless you ask. Serve at the beginning so the food is prepared I can eat. Not let the food get cold. Dumb.....Never again!!! Another thing, whoever reads this reviews. You don't solve any problems. Just leave some generic message. Save the drama for someone else read more
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Lee C.
Nicole, We understand this was a special celebration and sincerely…
2 years ago
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Lee C.
Hi Isaiah, we appreciate your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you…
I'm sad that I was disappointed today. We came for a relatives birthday. We had reservations for 8:45. It is now 10:50. All that's been served is the soups and my seaweed salad that was even more of a disappointment. Let me tell you about the seaweed salad... For starters, I'm sure there's a lot of seaweed on earth so I don't understand why they were so stingy with it. After all, it's about to be 11pm and this place says they close at 11. ITS 10:55‼ While waiting we asked to speak to the manager. She basically told us that there's a chef shortage here. Brb. The chef just pulled up w the cart read more
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Lee C.
Alexia, We take your feedback seriously and we hope to resolve this…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Leslie, thank you for sharing your review. We understand your…
3 years ago
My husband & I sat at the bar and we had great and fast service drinks and food were delicious. Emanuel was our bartender great drinks great service read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Thank you for your review, Kayla. We apologize for the long wait and…
3 years ago
2 years ago
I enjoy coming to this Benihana for any and every occasion... sometimes even for a quick lunch as I did today. The service is great! Today we had Jovani as a server, first time meeting him. Amazing server! He is great, respectful and accommodating. Checked up on up frequently, which I love. Usually servers forget to return to thier table and ask if we need anything else but not him. He was very attentive. Our chef Nathaneal, one of the newest chefs there but also a great cook. Food was amazing! Enjoyed my meal! 10/10!! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Birthday Dinner was awesome thank you Precious. Food was seasoned perfectly she engaged with everyone at the table. Funny sense of humor and down to earth . Customer service 10 out of 10 . read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
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Lee C.
Thanks for the feedback, Sergio! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the…
1 year ago
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Lee C.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Liam. We're sorry to hear…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Traci! We're thrilled to hear…
3 years ago
I hate this location but my boy here has redeemed it for me. As long as he is here so am I. Food was A+. read more
2 years ago
Everything was good came here at rush time during dinner at 8pm so as expected we had to wait 40mins but that was obvious it is benihana not mcdonalds. I dont understand why the negative reviews due to waiting. Everyone has to wait. My wife and I got the benihana trio. She ordered 2 prickly pear drinks suggested by the waiter which might i add was the best waiter We could have asked for ! The ambiance is always great due to the cooks always doing fun stuff ! Thanks benihana for a good night out. Bill was 270 but we also ordered wagyu fried rice and some other stuff thanks for everything will be back soon! read more
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Lee C.
Hi Rafael, thanks for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear…
2 years ago
2 years ago
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Lee C.
Davonda, thank you for your kind words! We're happy to hear that…
1 year ago
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Lee C.
Carmen, we're sorry to hear about the long wait and your experience…
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Hi Marisa, thanks for your feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you…
2 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
MY FIRST AND LAST TIME AT BENIHANA! THE WORST FOOD, COOK, WAIT, AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE. My boyfriend wanted to do a fun date night to a place I've never been, and I thought HEY why not?! He made a reservation for 2, at 8:00. Right across the street, we had a movie at 10pm and what could go wrong right? Lol. We got there and it went nothing but downhill and fast! CUSTOMER SERVICE: 0/10. We waited 45mins to sit, although we had a reservation. They apologized, but I really don't know what that was going to do. I know they might have been short staffed? But Y'all, I don't know, it was so...terrible. We finally got seated, and we waited AGAIN. A family behind us had a reservation at 9:30pm, got seated and their chef started cooking while we were still waiting! After complaining yet again, Our waiter was not friendly, didn't want to hear it, and acted as if we were the problem to his stressful job. I asked when our chef was coming, and he literally didn't say a word while going to "check". it was awful! The birthday girl who sat beside us, finished two drinks and had zero food. We were all ready to leave. Then the chef came, and it got worse. He didn't interact with us or say ONE SINGLE WORD! He looked stressed, mad, and not having it. Do these workers realize them having a bad attitude affects our special day too? FOOD: 0.00/10 The rude chef cooking was the icing on the damn cake, but in all seriousness the food SUCKED. My scallops were god AWFUL!!! It was the first time I've ever had and over cooked scallops. We ordered colossal shrimp, and damn, again, Our shrimp got spongy hard, our chicken fried rice thats $5.00 extra per bowl, SUCKED TOO!!!!! I honest to god wish I didn't order anything, NOT ONE THING. My boyfriend asked for his meat to be well done, again, our mute chef did say a word and gave it to us rare. Then after all was all said and done, when the plate was finally done, my boyfriends chicken tasted like a burnt mess....just problem after problem. The veggies even sucked. How it's possible to mess up vegetables is beyond me. PRICE: 0.000/10 100% not worth it at all. We ordered an edamame appetizer, 1 trio, 1 hibachi scallop dinner, extra colossal shrimp, and it all came out to $125.00+. Not one morsel of anything we ate, was worth it whatsoever. Down to the watery cold soup, soggy salad, and our grilled dinner. I swear, I wanted to just walk out midway. ALL AROUND EXPERIENCE: 0.0000/10 Where is the management???? You have 1,000 reviews of all of us saying the exact same thing, I don't understand how this place is that bad. We had the worst quiet chef who hated his job and us, I literally asked him 2 questions to get him to talk, and he literally one word answered us. LOL. We had the worst food, we missed half of our movie, and my boyfriend felt the need to apologize the entire night tor bribing me here. .He works so hard for his money, why should he feel the need to be apologizing at a restaurant that cannot get it together? Shame on Benihana. NEVER will I come back here ever again. Please listen to the other reviews here, I wish I would've before dinning at this nightmare of a restaurant. read more
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Lee C.
Chrystina, We take your feedback seriously and we hope to resolve…
5 years ago
Had a reservation at 6:00PM. Got here at 5:45PM and didn't get seated until 6:45. 45 minute PAST the reservation time. Why have a reservation system when you don't honor it? Once we were seated, the waiter didn't come to us until 7:00PM, an additional 15 minute wait while being seated. Once we got our order in, we asked when will we receive waters and they said soon. It is now 7:15 and we still haven't gotten our waters(whole table didn't have drinks either). The courses just came out at 7:25 and the show started at 7:45PM. It has been an hour and 45 mins since our reservation. Giving 2 stars cause the food and chef was great! Would only come if I had lots of time. Would come again only if I had hours to waste. read more
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Lee C.
Roger, thank you for sharing your review. We understand your concern.…
1 year ago
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Lee C.
Dear Maria, thank you for your kind words and recommendation. We're…
2 years ago
Hi, I recently visited this restaurant and just wanted to give a point scale review on my experience. Also I would like to share some notes as well. 1 being needs improvement, 10 being excellent Parking: 9.5/10 big parking lot with plenty of parking. Might have a take a little walk on the weekends Outside appearance: 9.5/10 pretty new building and its kept up. Parking lot is also kept clean. Inside appearance: 9.2/10 kept clean and has a nice waiting area. Staff service: 5.2 /10 nice and friendly but I made a reservation and showed up 10 mins early. I ended up waiting almost an hour to be seated. The hostess wasn't communicating with me much and I was getting frustrated. The cook that made our food was barely understood by anybody at the table and needed to speak louder. Food and restaurant experiance notes: the food was good and everything came out as ordered. The drinks were only refilled when asked and the waiter didnt come around much. Seemed like they were understaffed and over worked. Never had this experience at any other benihana. Gonna be hard if I have to go back. read more
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Lee C.
Aaron, on behalf of our team here at Benihana, we would like to…
1 year ago
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Lee C.
Dear Linda, we're happy to hear you enjoyed your visit and that Chris…
1 year ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Elena, we are truly sorry to hear about your distressing experience.…
3 years ago
Great Ambiance & Great Food, what more can you ask for!? Thanks for such great service Chef Christian & Harold! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Thanks for the awesome feedback, Robert! We're thrilled to hear that…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Lee C.
Thanks for the fantastic review, Arturo! We’re thrilled to hear you…
3 years ago
More info about Benihana
8801 Apollo Way
Downey, CA 90242
Directions
(562) 372-9210
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https://www.benihana.com
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Ask the Community - Benihana
What is the squealing sound at the bar... constant squealing? wind whistling? it's annoying asf It's not bar noise, ambient or otherwise
Loud. People laugh. A bit noisy.
How much is the price per person?
You will order what you want do that price us going to vary. You are probably looking on the high side like 20-25 dollars but for the adventure and the show and don't forget the food. Money well worth it
Is the food prepared at the table when you choose outdoor seating? Or is the food just brought to you prepared?
No, the food is not teppanyaki style if choosing outdoor seating.
Is it possible to have the chili shrimp roll made with no rice?
What's the usual cost for 2 people?
It depends on what you order. For the best budget Beni experience come in during lunch...lunch…
Review Highlights - Benihana
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