Benihana - Downey, CA

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1. B

   Brit

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   There was a 2 hour wait with a reservation before we ate.

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food5service1ambience2

   This location just disappoints every time. Our reservation was 5:45pm and we checked in at 5:38pm but didn’t get seated until 6:10 then the chef didn’t come to the table till 7:20. That’s ridiculous. We had our baby with us and that why we did an early reservation but didn’t end up leaving till 8:20 from a 5:45 reservation. And the manager never seems to care. The waitress was amazing but wow this location just sucks. Last time it took an hour to get seated with a reservation.

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3. JL

   JaiL

   Los Angeles

   5 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food5service3ambience5

   The server didn't check on us for drinks much. The cook forgot to give my husband mushrooms; I had to give him half of mine. I wasn't a happy camper about that.

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4. MC

   MyChe2022

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service4ambience5

   Took awhile to get our beverages and had to ask for napkins multiple times.

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall2food3service2ambience1

   I understand there is a lack of staff everywhere. It is not the waitress fault or the cooks fault for falling behind. It’s a management problem. There needs to be structure. And there seems to not be any at the Downey location. Management is seething up their staff & company as a whole for failure & it’s not okay. Benihana’s reputation is not meeting its expectations lately.

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   It was my birthday. My family and I was seated at 8:00pm and never got served when 9:30 came we went to the manager because seen a cook go to another family table that came way after my family did. I don’t know if because we was black and the other family was white. Only thing the manager can say was what can I do and can you guys wait 45 min for another cook. My family and I walked out. I will never go back

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7. RK

   RobertK

   Los Angeles

   10 reviews

   1.0

   10 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall1food2service1ambience1

   It was my birthday 06/30, my reservation was at 6:30pm, the cook came out to cook at 10pm. It was the worst experience at Benihana’s I’ve ever been through. I had my 4 month old baby with me, the baby was very irritated with the hours and hours we were just sitting waiting on the cooks for service. I’ve been to Benihana’s 1,000 and 1,000 times, and I never ever had to deal with the worst customer service experience in my whole life on my birthday.

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   Reservation was at 8:30pm but we didn’t get sat until after 9pm. Chef didn’t come out until around 10:30pm and overcooked all the food. Also, the steaks were cooked/served to the wrong people. Last time I’m coming to this Benihana.

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall1food4service1ambience1

   I feel bad for my waiter having to deal with so many tables and the bartender that was new and by himself that’s not fair to them. I hope you guys get your staffing schedules together. The wait time to sit and eat and get the check , and get my drink ridiculous! Putting that pressure on our waiter having tables in far apart areas not fair to him . Establishment needs to do better as a whole ! I’ve had much better experiences here tonight y’all let us down .

   Report
10. SM

    SharynM

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    Our reservations were at 5:45 on a Monday night. We were seated about 5 to 10 minutes after arrival and our drink orders were taken about five minutes after that. We did not receive our drinks until we had been seated for 20 minutes. We had to ask the manager where our drinks were. We complained that 40 minutes had gone by and we had yet to receive any refills on our drinks or even a salad. The manager confirmed and apologized that our chef/food would be right out. 25 minutes later our chef finally showed up. The food was mediocre at best. It is average and would be quite less than average if they didn’t lather everything with wonderful garlic butter. It is truly what makes the food tasty. Five out of eight of our plates were dirty and we had to exchange them. The promised mushrooms that came with our steaks were excluded. We just flat out didn’t get them no mention was made of them. We didn’t realize we were ripped off until it was too late. A party of 8, We ordered everything from chicken to steak to lobster tail, scallops, calamari, tuna appetizers etc. Our bill was over $400. We were comped a small discount after complaining, only to find out they had the balls to charge us a service fee of 65 bucks! Because we were a party of eight. Ridiculous. We had that expunged as well. So I’m happy that the manager LaShawn worked with us a little bit and felt apologetic that we had such a poor time. We would have walked out of there early on if it wasn’t for the fact we were celebrating my son’s 17th birthday. He had been looking forward to it all day and did not want to leave. We asked the chef why the wait was so long. He said that because they were slow earlier in the day, management let people go home. But how ridiculous is that when people are making reservations? We had a reservation at 5:45 for eight people and didn’t eat until well after 7 o’clock Benihana has seen better days. They’re heyday was about 20 years ago and it is time to hang it Up.

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11. DC

    DavidC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall2food3service2ambience1

    Unfortunately, the restaurant has gone downhill. We sat and waited for the chef for over an hour. The table next to us remained filled with dirty dishes the whole time. We were really looking forward to eating there for months. Even kids were disappointed.

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12. JC

    JamieCastaneda

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was sooo good and our cook put on a real nice show for us. Will be coming back soon!

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server was very attentive and friendly. Our cook, Sara! She was amazing and funny. She made our food delicious. If we can ask for Sara every time, we would.

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14. m

    makaelah

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience2

    4 o’clock reservation turned into 5:30/5:45 before a chef came to our table. Kids meals didn’t come with corn. I’ve been to Benihana many times different locations, this however was the worst experience ever! I will never go here again

    Report
15. ST

    SuzieT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a great time. Great waiter and fun, kind and very funny chef/cook 😊

    Report
16. k

    kashaundab

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    They messed up mine and another customer order and they didn't have the air on and it's summertime.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food2service3ambience2

    The chef seems as though he didn’t wanna be there. Maybe lack of experience idk

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18. BS

    BrandiS

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food2service1ambience1

    Reservations were at 6:15, our cook arrived at 7:30. I have a gluten allergy. None of the staff were familiar with what did or didn’t contain gluten. After explaining my allergy to the chef she still cooked my steak on the grill where she cooked everything else which contained gluten. I barely ate my food because I was fearful of the cross contamination. Right after consuming the food, I did get sick. Allergies are a serious thing!! They need to invest time in educating their staff and if not then they shouldn’t advertise that they have a “gluten friendly” menu. The service was slow and our cook was not at all entertaining. It was definitely not worth the money or our time. I do not recommend this restaurant.

    Report
19. k

    kevinr

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    after 3 hours waiting for the food was not served and we had to leave without eating.

    Report
20. B

    Benji

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience4

    This experience was like no other. I was unaware of the time delay when the restaurant was experiencing a temporary short cook staff. We were seated on time but after was told that a cook wouldn’t be available for at least an hour. This news was utterly devastating to hear. Especially having a long trip before arriving at the restaurant. Once seated and after ordering drinks before the information was broken that it would be at least an hour wait. The server stated we would get drinks and appetizers while we waited. However, it took over 45 minutes before drinks and appetizers were served. This is understandable but to sit in that type of environment made the experience not great. It quickly became loud, hard to keep from wanting to leave, and the smoke & fumes instantly began to start overwhelmingly taking over the experience. Conversations were slim because you could see the devastation on one’s face from hunger. Once a server came to take orders, I was instructed that a particular ingredient for my meal was not available anymore. I wasn’t given a list of alternatives but asked what I would like. Slightly confusing at that moment, so I just told them to provide me with “whatever” for the spices on the spicy hibachi shrimp dish. Once the cook did arrive, it was so late that I hardly wanted to eat. We also weren’t served a full-course meal however paid the total price for five or six-course meals. Like the mushrooms weren’t served or getting a dessert item for the six-course dinner. Overall it was tough to be happy with my experience. The unexpected time it took to be served. Not having certain ingredients or not serving items that were paid for was a bad experience. Also, I would like to say that the employees did their best and I could see that. Hope management could do better to acquaint servers & cooks in a more timely matter for everyone’s participation.

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience3

    The food was burnt. Rookie cooks

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our chef was awesome

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23. MG

    MinaG

    Orange County

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall3food5service1ambience3

    I got a 20% discount for the last experience I had. Still waited 4( min for our soup and salad. Chef was great his Jane is quail. Great chef

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Barely seated and was told to hurry and order . Didn’t even get the menu yet . Experience was unprofessional.

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25. HT

    HalleyT

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience2

    Our reservations were for 9:15pm we arrived at 8:50pm & weren’t seated until 10:30pm ! we didn’t eat until 11:28pm horrible horrible horrible service. Only reason why we stayed was because my 8 year old insisted on celebrating her birthday there. Never again. I’m sorry but this particular Benihana was not the best.

    Report
26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The only bad thing is the wait to be seated even with a reservation.

    Report
27. LR

    LindaR

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    Very disappointed not like it was before the pandemic did not even offer us the ginger sauce and mustard sauce I had to ask for it I had to ask for a green tea did not have Any sugar There were two of us on the table that had white rice I had to ask for it. The rice came after everybody was half done eating I’ve always enjoyed Benihana’s but lately it’s changed and disorganized and I was very disappointed I won’t go back anytime soon

    Report
28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 23, 2022

    overall1food4service1ambience1

    Worst experience ever!!!!! SECURITY FLAGGED US DEMANDING A BALANCE IN OUR CHECK!!! When the server didn't know How to count cash money (Cook was great btw!) Our server Sadie she literally stand behind the grill/table just staring no introduction no mame no nothing she stand in silence waiting for us to tell her our order... got bit weird because she was just standing in silence just staring..... She took our drink order rolling her eyes... she was barely there. Bar drinks came 18 minutes after we ordered, that's fine. Then the cooking part was awesome our chef was fantastic!!!!! Server didn't came back for drinks refills/bar drinks even the chef have to flag her down to come over and get us sauces and drink refills.. as soon the chef was done we pretty much have the plate full with food and Sadie started asking for boxes to go... I told her WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THEM... we will let you know, five minutes after was BOXES TOGO? Again we still working on food we will let you know.... Few minutes after she brought out the check and asked us if we're paying cash or card.... We said both... anyway w send it up paying cash but I knew the 6 courses meal came with desert (I know is just ice cream) but we had to ask the server for it! Like it's call 6 courses meal for some reason right? Anyway we paid cash and left to the lobby.... AT THE LOBBY THE SECURY GUY CAME AFTER US SAYING "THE MANAGER NEED YOU" in front of everyone at the lobby, the manager approached us and said, YOU HAVE A BALANCE OF $54 dollars!! In front of everyone at the lobby! We knew exactly what we paid.... Next minute the "server" Sadie came and recount the money to confirm SHE DONT KNOW HOW TO COUT AND MAKE THE MATH the manager apologized but after he send the SECURITY TO CHASE US and say it loud in front of the. Guest waiting at the lobby he just said I'm sorry for the misunderstandings ...

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 22, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience2

    They sat us down at the table and served drinks yet the chef didn’t come to make the food until two hours later even with a reservation on a regular Monday night.

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 21, 2022

    overall1food4service1ambience1

    Shirt staffed have reservations at 7pm chef did not arrive till 8:45

    Report
31. B

    Benihannaexperience20222

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience2

    2 hour wait time even with reservations, staff and chefs looked tired and overworked, place looked like a hurricane came through on the floor and the restrooms. Soup was extremely salty. Please save yourself a-lot of time and never go to the Downey location. Anywhere but Downey!

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear Benihannaexperience20222 On behalf of our team here at Benihana, we would like to sincerely apologize for your recent visit with us. With your feedback, we look forward to improving the guest experience and would like to thank you for taking the time to share your review with us. If you would like to get in touch with our team, please do so via the Contact Us page on our website

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Went and they were behind. We left after 2 hours of waiting for the chef. So we didn’t eat. All we had were drinks

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear Guest 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. 

    Report
33. K

    Krispy

    Orange County

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience1

    Go to the one in Torrance by any means necessary. I went for Father’s Day. My fathers first time. The service wasn’t the greatest. The food wasn’t what I was expecting and the floor was disgusting. Raw chicken spilled where I was sitting and nobody came to clean it up during my dining experience. Very disappointed with this location. I went in at 8:30pm, food began cooking at 10:15pm, and left at 10:45pm. Extremely disappointed

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear Krispy on behalf of our team here at Benihana, we would like to sincerely apologize for your recent visit with us. If you have not done so already, please contact us via the Contact Us page on our website. We want to thank you for taking the time to share your review with us and welcome you to ‘Copy/Paste’ your review in order to save time. We look forward to following up with you.

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34. LM

    LeahM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall4food4service2ambience3

    The service was slow. We cannot fully understand the chef. He tried to be funny and entertain us. Overall it was good

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear LeahM Your feedback is appreciated. We will be sure to share your review with the team.

    Report
35. GH

    GaryH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful experience on Father’s Day! The food was so tasty and Server funny and attentive.

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear GaryH Thank you for celebrating your special occasion with the Benihana team!

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36. MV

    MelissaV

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Got to our reservation 10 mins early and checked in. Within 12 minutes we had our table. Service was great and cook made everything delicious. My only complaint is the noise level, was a bit difficult to have conversations if the person wasn’t sitting next to you.

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear MelissaV Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are happy to hear that you had a great experience.

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    Father’s Day lunch

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear Guest Thank you for celebrating your special occasion with the Benihana team!

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38. n

    nadine

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Server Heidi was wonderful and attentive Habachi cook was entertaining and attentive

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear nadine Our goal is to create great guest memories. We are pleased to hear we were able to do so for you and your family. 

    Report
39. CE

    ClarisaE

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall1food4service1ambience2

    Long wait for chef and poor service. Waitress hardly checked on us

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear ClarisaE We apologize for your recent visit. To better assist you, please contact our team via the Contact Us page on our website.

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40. AP

    AllanP

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    Would not recommend to go here. Go to other Benihana chain

    Benihana - Downey, CAResponded 2 days agoDear AllanP We apologize for your recent visit. To better assist you, please contact our team via the Contact Us page on our website.

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