Benihana - Carlsbad, CA

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1. IC

   ItzCampups

   Las Vegas

   12 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   12 reviews

   Dined today

   overall4food4service3ambience3

   Benihana is pretty much what you would expect. We were fortunate to have an energetic and friendly chef that made the experience fun! The fried rice is my favorite and is a must have upgrade when sitting at the hibatchi seating. Our waitress was super sweet and the cocktails were great too.

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2. NT

   NatalieT

   Las Vegas

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall3food4service2ambience3

   Our chef was excellent but the waiter was lacking in customer attention.

   Report
3. F

   Faith

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   Super fun and entertaining. Staff and chef were very friendly and we had a great time

   Report
4. AW

   AnaWingo

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Our chef and server were excellent! The wood was delicious and I would definitely return

   Report
5. MW

   MarcW

   San Diego

   24 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   24 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall3food4service2ambience3

   More nostalgic than anything. The server was overwhelmed with bartending as well as serving our table. From the beginning, the wait was longer than expected despite having a reservation. And the chef himself was horrible. He tried. He tried really hard. But so many mistakes were made with his tricks. Dropping the fork And spatula multiple times. No onion volcano til the end where a busboy? Was shaking as the vodka was being poured. I thought new oils catch himself on fire because the vodka spilled all over his hand. Back to the chef—no flying shrimp. Only flying shrimp tails and he kept missing his hat. Also dropping the sesame shaker on the ground. It was then we discovered a lobster tail hanging out below our feet. The only saving grace was the food was decent. Not perfect. Overcooked. But the two girls I brought enjoyed themselves before falling asleep because our reservation was postponed. No photos because there were no photo-worthy tricks. Not like when I was a kid.

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   Sat down an hour after our reservation. Messed up our bills. Chef spilled and broke a glass on someone. Will not be returning. Phone lines broken

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7. AM

   AngelaM

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food5service5ambience5

   You can tell our cook was still learning but he made up with his positive attitude. Overall we had fun.

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8. JG

   JohneGirl

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Had a wonderful time for my husband’s birthday. Met new and interesting people. Food was amazing!

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9. MR

   MatthewR

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall3food5service2ambience4

   We waiting over an hour for an actual chef to come to our table. Our newer service neglected us on several occasions and even neglected to assist the chef.

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Awesome experience, will definitely come back!

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall3food4service3ambience4

    Waited 20 after our 8 pm reservation No waters were offered until we asked and had to keep asking after. Grill chef took for ever to come out to start meals. We finished our meal at 10:45pm why to long.

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    We arrived 10 minutes early and nobody was at the front counter. There was a several group of peoples starting to crowd the counter and nobody knows who are in line. Overall, it was a good birthday experience. It was my first time at this place and we all enjoyed the rest of the dinner.

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13. AS

    AmandaS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food3service3ambience4

    Typical Benihana. We had a great chef and that makes a great show especially for the kids. They enjoyed the food. Plenty of food.

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14. SG

    ShawnG

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 22, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience3

    Had a reservation for 8 pm, 3 people. Arrived at 7:50. By 9 pm we still weren't seated and they told us once they seat us we'll have to wait another hour for a chef. So we left. This is not how reservations work. If you can't honor reservations you need to contact people so they don't waste their time. This was for my wife's birthday and my young daughter was looking forward to the "show" and everybody was disappointed.

    Report
15. JM

    JessicaM

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 22, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Our experience was horrible. Had dinner reservations at 7:45 but they didn’t seat us at a table till 9 o’clock. When I asked the host what was taking so long he said the reservation only guarantee me a tablet but not the time slot. I’m pregnant so having to wait 3 hours after my reservation was ridiculous. Once we were got a table we waited for a hour before they chef started cooking. The food wasn’t that good and the service was trash. I understand the work force is short staff but what’s the point of making a reservation if I’m not going to eat till 10:30 at night? Totally waste of my night. By the time I got my food I didn’t want to eat because It was super late. Never again going here again.

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16. LR

    LisaR

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience5

    Reservation was for 7 PM we got seated at 7:50pm and we didn’t have a chef until after 9 PM. There were definitely not enough people to service all of the tables that they were using. Our chef, when he finally got to us told us we were his seventh table that he cooked for. The grill was way too hot, the food was burnt. He did not have everything he needed to cook us our dinner on his cart.They would’ve done much better to not over book, used less tables, and that way they would’ve had enough chefs. Their customer service would not have been so awful and they don’t answer their their telephone. There was not a sign of a manager walking the tables apologizing for the terrible service. Our waitress was the only positive thing about our meal.

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17. C

    Cigarman

    Orange County

    19 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2022

    overall2food5service2ambience3

    Good was good, waited at table for chef for 45 minutes and waited in bar for hour prior to dinner and ordered appetizers, which never came after waiting for 40 minutes.

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18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 21, 2022

    overall2food5service3ambience5

    I’ve been going to Benihana’s for years and suffice to say this was a disappointing experience. I made reservations for 7:30 for a friend’s birthday, we arrived at 7:33, and we made to wait until almost 8:30 to be seated, then after that it took until 9:30 to even see the chef, who was less than enthusiastic about performing for us (understandable, as it was later) and the birthday person’s dinner wasn’t free with the appropriate coupon, as apparently the manager wasn’t available (at 10:30, go figure) and he was the only one who could apply it. The server was good and I felt bad he had to stall, but it was very drawn out. Seemed like a management issue to me. I would understand if we had walked in, but we had reservations for 2 hours before we actually got to eat anything and then my friend couldn’t use the coupon for their meal. Disappointing.

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19. M

    Moses

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    They made us wait over 1 hour and served a table that was seat after us. Terrible service! Ruined my Father’s Day Dinner!!!

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20. LG

    LeslyG

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience3

    We waited over 45 minutes for our chef. Daughter ordered from kids menu which included soup shrimp rice etc. She was given none.when asked cook said waitress put wrong then waitress said cook read it wrong. Regardless my daughter didnt get the shrimp. Our reservation was 915 we didnt leave til 1130. Lots of waiting. Even for water. Food was good.

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience3

    Had an reservation at 6PM for 6 people. Got there about 15 minutes early. Told us it would be about 15 - 20 wait. People were coming in and getting seated while we waited. Kept asking how much longer and same response, 15 - 20 minutes, people continued to come in and be seated. Finally about 7:30 we were seated about 20 minutes later someone came and took our drink order the several minutes later we ordered. Finally about 8:20 the chef, John, came and started cooking. He was great and so was the food but the rest of the experience was a bust. Finally got done and left at 9. Will think twice about going back.

    Report
22. BF

    BerthaF

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    DO NOT!!! Eat there! It is disgusting and everything is dirty from plates, cooking utensils, grill , walls , light fixtures etc. we waited 45 min with reservation to be seated then waited 1hr and 15 min for food. My son slipped and fell in restroom and after we mentioned everything to the restaurant manager we even showed her food stuck in crevices of grill she tried compensating with a free $10 appetiser on next visit and just one per party. It was a joke .

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23. BE

    BERNIE

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    Great food, show and cocktails. It was a holiday so they were 45 minutes behind. Other than that great time!

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24. AR

    AndreaR

    San Diego

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall1food2service2ambience1

    Our reservation was at 2:45 pm And we didnt get seated until 3:45 one hour wait and they were also short staffed on chefs. The chef that took care of us was not very professional and clean he made a mess there was rice all Over the grill and the plates . I love Benihana’s but I was very disappointed on Sundays for Fathers Day .

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25. D

    Diane

    San Diego

    16 reviews

    1.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    Went for Father’s Day, complete chaos. Had reservations for 2 pm. We didn’t get a table until 2:30 and our meal not served until 3:20 pm. Dishes were dirty, tables dirty, floors greasy and slippery, bathroom floor sticky. Waitress nice but the GM needs to fix the problems

    Report
26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall1food3service2ambience3

    Had a 1:30 reservation, wasn’t seated until almost 1:50, ordered and appetizer and a drink that came out in a decent time. 3 pm comes around finally our chef comes to the table. He was fairly new, didn’t have the hibachi experience just yet to wow the table. Orders were taken in correctly. To top it off my kids couldn’t not get their ice cream because service was taking too long and had a 30 min drive to get back home for work which I was late because everything took too long. Worst experience too have on Father’s Day.

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27. YA

    YARC

    San Diego

    29 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    The food and the experience were good. Enjoyed ourselves. Only problem is it took an hour before we started eating.

    Report
28. J

    Juliet

    San Diego

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    It was over 12 years since we’ve been back to Benihana! We decided to celebrate Father’s Day a tad early. It did not disappoint.

    Report
29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall3food5service3ambience3

    It’s my third time here and unfortunately would be the last time for me here in Carlsbad. I’ve visiting Benihana for 18 years around the US. I arrived 1:20PM and left the restaurant 3:30pm. We waited for the chef for so long, and there was another table that they seated after us but the chef goes to them first. The food was good.

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30. JN

    JuliannaN

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience3

    I have been a Benihana regular for the last 8 years and over the last 3 years I have seen the decline in efficiency and quality. It always takes us over an hour to get a chef to the table and the majority of the chefs are always rushed. There has been an increase in new chefs which means that you will never get the same taste twice. Everyone cooks differently and the seasoning in the food is noticeable. I am no longer a fan.

    Report
31. SS

    SamanthaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience3

    Good food, good price, service could be faster but overall great experience

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    This was the absolute worst experience. The cook burnt the rice, hair in my daughters food, shrimp undercooked, old grease dripping from the hood before they started cooking. The restaurant is dirty, bathrooms were out of Tp with seat coverings on the floor, the ceilings and walls show deferred maintenance and repairs. The manager was in denial and made us wait over an additional hour about removing the food from the bill. We have been going to this location for 15 years. Never ever again will we go.

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall2food3service2ambience2

    My kids promoted from 8th to 9th grade and 5th to 6th

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34. MM

    MichaelM

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience3

    My husband ordered Chatebreund rare. His piece of meat went to two others at the table. My husbands meat was cooked well done and had fat and gristle on it!! 🙁

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    John was a great chef🔥🔥🔥

    Report
36. JA

    JAB70

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 15, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Always a good time for special occasions. Consistent service and food. Having the right chef makes all the difference in your dining experience. We had Juan and he was great.

    Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded todayDear JAB70 Thank you for celebrating your special occasion with the Benihana team!

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37. M

    Mars

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 13, 2022

    overall3food4service2ambience4

    Wasn’t the worst experience, staff was friendly, food was nice, but couldn’t help feel that we were inconveniencing them somehow.

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    8 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    overall2food4service2ambience5

    Service was very slow

    Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded on June 14, 2022Dear Guest Thank you for sharing your review. We understand your concern. If you would like to get in touch with our team, please do so via the Contact Us page on our website. Your feedback helps us to make improvements, and we’re hopeful that you will provide us with an opportunity to serve you again. Arigato.

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39. VJ

    VeliaJ

    San Diego

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience1

    I do not understand why we waited an hour after our reservation to get our food

    Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded on June 14, 2022Dear VeliaJ On behalf of our team here at Benihana, we sincerely apologize for your experience and understand your concern. If you would like to get in touch with our team, please do so via the Contact Us page on our website so that we can further address this matter. 

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40. P

    Priscilla

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 10, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    Good for kids but food isn’t great. It’s a good show that the kiddos will enjoy but overpriced overall and they need to change up their menu.

    Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded on June 14, 2022Dear Priscilla Your feedback is appreciated. We will be sure to share your review with the team.

    Report