First time trying waba grill and I think I missed out on its heyday of glory coz I am tbd about the flavor/hype but I do think that it's cool that there's a "fast food" spot that can offer healthy food with low salt and veggies/brown rice as options. I ordered over the phone and got to the location. There were lots of people waiting which tells me it's a place that people go to.. and the person on the phone was super nice and patient -- even tho the actual store was pretty hectic, so that was impressive. All the stars of them this review are really dedicated to the staff that we're hustling and keeping in good spirits. I also have to say in the area of fast food and taco stands, it's really nice to have this option in between all of it. read more

Quality of food: 4 out of 5 Cleanliness of restaurant: 5 out 5 Employee training: 0 out 5 Overall the speed and ease of ordering food was great. However the only "No, No" I observed was when the cashier after handling the register did not wash their hands nor did they wear gloves to pack food. This is suppose to be a professional business establishment with food standards, not some random taco stand pop up on the side walk. read more

WaBa Grill - Employee packing food with no gloves after handling cash register. - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I'm surprised by all of the negative reviews. This place is exactly what it's supposed to be -- quick, healthy, simple food, with good service in a convenient location. The inside is also spacious and clean. read more

they didn't give a straw or ranch and the onion rings are absolutely disgusting like i wish i wasted my money on different food read more

WaBa Grill - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

@ 7:35pm on 12/28/23 I ordered a Salmon Bowl to go. The server Brandon was great. Very kind, humble and focused. However, there was another employee who continuously distracted, Brandon with gossip. Unbeknown to the other employee, Spanish is my first language. She continued with her unprofessional gossip while sweeping/cleaning and returned to the grill to handle food without washing her hands or wearing gloves. I immediately had to call her out on it, as it is a health concern and a health code violation to Brandon. Which he notably addressed with said employee. Said employee made it known out loud her discontent with my concern. New management, please do better. Thank you! read more

WaBa Grill - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Dear New Owner, First, your employees are fabulous and only following instructions. I was going to include their names, but I want to avoid any backlash on their part. Second, the policies you have implemented since taking over this location are ridiculous. Issue 1: I asked for a cup of water after walking in from 95 degree heat, and was told I was unable to until I made a purchase. I promised I was about to after looking at the menu, but was told the employee would get in trouble with cameras watching. What?! Why wouldn't you give cups of water to individuals who are in your establishment and about to order. Or for that matter, it's basic human needs. I think kindness to the highland Park community would make a difference and improve your business. TRUST your employees to use their own discretion and decide if the individuals really are about to make a purchase, or if the weather makes it a human necessity. Issue 2: I was with my 7 year old son who needed to use the bathroom after a long school day. I asked for the restroom key, which was held hostage based on your policy of purchase FIRST. So my young child, waited as I quickly made a purchase (as i promised) before the key was issued. Again, basic human needs were not met. What about children, pregnant women, and the elderly who will be walking in? Trust your employees to gauge the situation, they are great. read more

every time I come here I have to double check to see if I have all my items since they always forget came in on 2-12 -2025 at 6pm for my food got everything but veggies in my bowls even though I ordered rice and veggie Bowles staff are nice just would hope they would double check orders and honor my order because the bowls with veggies cost more than the ones without them read more

WaBa Grill - Bowls with no veggies didn't even notice till I added my carrot and jalapeños - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I FOUND A METAL NAIL IN MY PLATE!!!! I am still in disbelief about this situation. My 60 year old aunt was lucky to have not found this nail in her mouth. It took the staff 4 hours to get back to me after I had called and sent photos of this issue. I was told they had no idea how this happened. The fact that they don't know worries me. Is the staff lacking food safety training? A training even more important during this pandemic. The solution to this problem was a refund. How is this refund going to reassure me that I am safe to eat Waba again? I am a frequent customer and I am extremely disappointed with the lack of care. It has been over a day since I sent an email with photos and I have I not received a response back from upper management. HOW IS THIS NOT A PRIORITY! read more

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Always a great experience! Fast service and love the healthy options they offer...both the chicken and veggie bowls are super delicious!

I came to pickup lunch here after seeing a client. Still in a middle of a pandemic but you can order inside. The woman working the register was very friendly, helping me decide what I wanted. I ordered a chicken and steak bowl. I got all the way home to Santa Monica just to find no steak in my bowl.... I rather the chicken be missing than the steak since the steak cost now. What a bummer! Nevertheless, the food was okay. I wish the veggies were cooked longer. They were all very crunchy. Double check your order before leaving. read more

WaBa Grill - Both of what I paid for. - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Had the worst experience ever, the food (Chicken & Beef) was burnt and full of nothing but waba sauce. I understand it comes with waba sauce but this time around it was just a whole puddle on my rice, veggies and chicken/ beef. (My husband had also said light waba sauce. )There was even burnt black ashes on my food. To top it off I called to let them know about the situation and they said they would give me back my money because my food wasn't eatable. Yet they went on and charged my husband credit card twice & didn't even fix anything I had told them about. It's not the first time yet we still gave it a second try and the same thing with this location. Don't recommend at all! If possible no star at all. read more

WaBa Grill - Burnt chicken & so much waba sauce. - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great food but I was turned off by horrible customer service at this particular location at 4:10 pm pst on 6/6/21. I was presented with a coupon by WaBa sent directly to my mailbox. When I went to the location(Figueroa) the lady on front said they can't honour the coupon as they are out of wifi. She said she can't help me but suggested I might wait 30 mints if the wifi comes back. Horrible way to deal with customer. First you are presented with a coupon by your corporate house to bring you at the doorstep and now you have an excuse not to honour it. The lady seemed to have a no care attitude towards the customer needs. I don't think the corporate would love to know her attitude towards me. Now this is not a matter of a coupon but how you deal with you customer. Bravo thanks. read more

This place is a dirty spot workers are not wearing gloves while serving anything and tables are dirty.

Worst location ever!!!! They didn't cook the chicken enough! It has no flavor! They cooked it dry with no sauce! I tried calling to complain number doesn't go through. Asked for an extra tray of chicken and they gave me this little cup of chicken!! Never going back there again. I worked all night and took my son to practice this afternoon. If I wasn't so tired and in need of sleep I'd drive back to get get my money back and return the food. $40 down the drain! read more

WaBa Grill - Chicken - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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WaBa Grill is the next best thing when you just dont want to cook but want something hot and tastey to eat. Whether you love chicken or steak, they're both to die for. If you haven't tried WaBa Grill, go for it at least once. I guarantee it, you'll love it. read more

I ordered a salmon bowl through Grubhub and the brown rice in my bowl was hard and old. Severely disappointed as this place is one of the only healthy options around. If you are going to offer brown rice, at least offer a good quality version of it or don't offer it all. It was inedible and rock hard, I just scraped the salmon off the top and threw it out. Still hungry. read more

Horrible customer service. Never polite and helpful. Food is not good. I will not come back

Realize this is a chain store (even though I don't think I have ever been to one), so writing about the HLP location. The store is nice and clean, and the customer service during my visit was great. One thing I loved about this location is that they had pickled spicy carrots there.... one of my favorites! We got some standard teriyaki bowls, and was pleased with it. Surprisingly, there are not too many simple Teriyaki joints in the NELA area so even a chain store suffices in this area when you want something quick/pickup. read more

I come here often when I want to eat something fast and healthy. Today my experience was amazing. I was greeted when I walked in. And was helped right away. I asked if the dumplings were any good as I had never tried them before. She told me they were very good! Went ahead and ordered them, I was not disappointed! Delicious. Overall Sarah was so warm, kind, and helpful to me. You don't see that anymore especially in the fast food service industry. I appreciate her working during these hard times and still being so positive. Thank you Waba. And a huge thank you to Sarah she made my day with her excellent service! read more

I've been here like three times and basically it's ok. If you like sweet sauce then this is the place for you. The meat was ok, rice and veggies were good. The place was clean and staff were nice. read more

The closing of Teri & Yaki on Arroyo in Pasadena made me want to try Waba Grill. The food is actually pretty similar. First of all, this restaurant is CLEAN. As we walked in, people were mopping the floor. The soda machine area is well-stocked. Bathroom was clean. Even the trash cans were clean. The staff here are definitely on it. We got 1 Waba plate and 1 salmon & veggie bowl. Everyone was happy with their food. The only thing that I might change is asking for no sauce, since they also supply their sauce and small containers near the forks & napkins. But the food is hot, fresh and arrived quickly. The ladies behind the counter are so friendly, and even took time to smile, wave and play peek-a-boo with the littler one, and it's such a nice touch to see people interested in customer service that goes beyond their job. If you're needing dinner and your fridge is empty, this place is definitely worth a shot! read more

WaBa Grill - Clean soda machine area - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Gross tofu ever just wrong for $12.89 well lets start with the tofu it's plain with some sauce it doesn't even taste like it's been on the grill. The orange I got was a old slice whatever Rice bland and the there salad sucks. Side avocado stinks like they cut it and the fridge stinks. The vegetables ok read more

WaBa Grill - This food was gross - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Hey Waba, I eat here often and I have to say I am pretty disappointed in the quality control of your food.... I ordered a veggie bowl with chicken - no rice, which costs extra, and you put an entire cabbage heart in there... it's dense and hard and HUMONGOUS and basically inedible. So I paid more money for food I could not eat. Other times I have ordered the same bowl and there are whole cabbage leaves in there, like no one bothered to cut them up before serving them. Lazy. Lazy. Lazy. Seriously, you guys are expensive and I feel like you keep ripping me off. read more

WaBa Grill - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I like Waba Grill, I recommend it. However, how could you not have a menu on Yelp? You have pictures, then I have to tap on the picture to confirm what I'm looking at. Photos are fine but I prefer a list. read more

I appreciate that the food here is healthy but I've been here twice and the veggies are straight up raw. Crispy carrots and broccoli and cabbage. They must steam them or stir fry them for ten seconds. I don't get it. Makes for a bland unappealing, and crunchy, meal. read more

WaBa Grill is a rice bowl chain and honestly, like majority of its locations, this one is quite small. Do I recommend dining here though? Honestly, no. The interior is quite small and cramped with little movement around, especially if you have small children with you. To add, the cleanliness of the place is mediocre and bearable to an extent. I would suggest doing take out or ordering delivery from this place. Aside from the physical location, the food is well done and the staff are quite respectful. I have not ran into a staff member who just gives a grumpy feeling or a negative aura. From each order, I feel actually confident and not rushed. Lastly, the food is well cooked properly and I do recommend ordering delivery or takeout if you are looking for something quick, especially if you are lazy to cook. read more

My husband went to pick up this order for me (we live in Eagle Rock) I was craving the tofu plate... mainly for the avocado. Well, turns out the Avocado was completely rotten. I'm so mad. Why would look at this and think it's okay to serve? Such bull. Smh. I should have listened to the reviews and STAYED AWAY from this crappy ass WaBa. Also, the salad and orange was old. read more

WaBa Grill - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Very good and tasty food, never ordered it myself , first time trying it at my sisters and loving it, will definitely order from here soon, friendly staff and good food what else I can ask for read more

I usually love this place but I've got let down. I ordered to go a beef bowl with rice & a side of short ribs. And the bowl itself was good but the side was literally 2 little pieces. I called to see if I could get refunded or pick up something else but they stated that's the portion & didnt apologize or anything. I have been ordering here since it open & never have I ever seen or received something like this. Update: I went to the location in Hollywood & the side of ribs were an actual size of ribs!!! read more

WaBa Grill - Side of ribs at the Hollywood location is a lot better than compared to the "side" of ribs here in highland park location! - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I know we're are in the middle of a pandemic, and under staff usually makes things difficult for employees to complete their daily tasks. Today I stop in around 8:30pm and pick up 3 bowls. When I entered the establishment there was no one else awaiting for their order. Noticed the cook (a female worker whom appeared to be a manager as she was wearing a Waba branded Polo shirt something different from the rest of the crew members) she was sweeping the kitchen area which is great. Immediately after the cashier sent my order to the kitchen she proceeded to place the protein for my bowls and completed my order without washing her hands. If this is how they are handling their business during COVID, imagine how serious they take food safety during regular business. I worked in the food industry business and I know that most of the times when someone complains or gives a bad review normally a free meal will compensate and keep the customer's business. I'm not writing this review for a free meal, but to educate and train your employees on proper food safety. This is not the first time I observed such practices. I have sent direct emails in the past but haven't gotten any response or thanks for the feed back. Not sure if this will make a difference but here I'm taking my valuable time to write about my concerns about food safety. Thank you for taking your time to read it. read more

WABA PLATE ! Not bad . Got veggies instead of rice. Salad was a bit dry but the dressing was pretty good . Loved how the half-ocado came on top tho read more

WaBa Grill - Waba Plate - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

4 stars for friendly fast service... it helps that Maria the server was quite beautiful! My wife's chicken vegetable bowl was what one would expect... delicious. My salmon bowl with extra salmon was pale white in appearance. It tasted as if the salmon was boiled and the flavor was lost. Don't know but I won't order the salmon again. Vegetables and brown rice was delicious with some teriyaki sauce. It's nice to have a WaBa grill nearby. I hope the salmon can be improved and then a rating of 5. read more

This place does not take American Express at all and you have to fully sign up for an account online to submit an order.

I usually go to the one in Lincoln heights but I was around the neighborhood so I got some here. honestly they give you sooo little chicken and beef! It may look like a lot after I cut the chicken in small pieces and the meat and I added some teriyaki on top that may seem like theirs more meat. but it was honestly very little portion on (meat&chicken). Overall the food had a good taste nice in the inside just wish they added more. read more

WaBa Grill - Keep in mind I cut the chicken in small pieces to look like more, and meat. :) - Fast Food Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you get food you have to go because if you door dash the waba sauce gets forgotten that's why it's 3 because the sauce makes it wana grill food. read more

One star simply for closing early. We drove over an hour to get there and before there published closing time. They closed early.

Their quality of food has gone done drastically. I'm not sure I will return to this location. Stopped by today to grab a decent lunch and it was far from that. It actually upset my stomach and don't recommend this location to anyone. Previous visit was also not good but thought I would give it another shot. read more

I will never ever ever go to this location again! My husband and I both got sick after having our chicken plates. Come on... read more

Was planning to get a chicken and vegetables rice bowl but my husband's wanted to go for the Family size. We were shocked at how generous each of the portions is! We took home four large containers that Included a large container of Chicken done to perfection; one of Basmati rice, one of brown rice, and one of steamed very crisp and yummy vegetables! Came with lots of Teriyaki sauce. Glad WaBa is like a 10-15 walk from home bc we will certainly be back! read more

Horrible service. Arrived at 7:40pm for doordash delivery. If you guys closed restroom at this time, why still open the restaurant.