I am very disappointed at this location service. I made reservations for 7:15pm 30 minutes passed and we were not seated. I noticed there was 3 available tables that were not cleaned by 7:45pm I was infuriated and went up to the host and told her that my reservation was at 7:15pm. As soon as I said something we were seated. Then when they brought our food we waited about 5 minutes to get the utensils to eat. This is the 2nd time I have a bad experience at this restaurant. The only reason I came back to this location was because my mother wanted to try it. They didn't even bother to apologize or try to do something for us. This is Bad Restaurant Service. read more

We wanted to check out the new Benihana in our town. Let me preface that with, we have no issue with the food-very flavorful and filling. With a reservation we still waited 30 minutes to be seated. In the meantime, no one came to ask if we wanted a drink, gee it might have made the wait a little less annoying. Bad strike number one. After at least 30 minutes we were finally called to our table. Our waitress came after about 10 minutes and took our order. Our drinks (those are important) came out after another 10 long minutes. This is at least 45 minutes now with no drink for a paying customer. Bad strike number two. I ordered a wine and when I looked at my glass, it was dirty. This was very obvious because the glass is not filled and they bring your wine in a little glass flask for you to pour it. I'm sorry but servers should make sure everything looks presentable and clean - Hello that's what Japanese culture is all about and it's a matter of pride. Bad strike number three. Our server although very good at the cooking part and very friendly, was still not a seasoned Benihana chef. He lacked the culinary tricks that are the draw for Benihana. We go for the food AND the entertainment. I have to say that although the food was delicious, the reason we went was for the entertainment and we didn't get it. Maybe we will go back in a few months and make sure we ask for one of the checks mentioned here. read more

Let me tell you for my first time here it was great! If you go to this location you have to ask for Sarah! She was AMAZING! She was so funny and so sweet. Definitely puts on a great show that everybody would love! 10/10. read more

Waiting time over 30 mins even after having a reservation. The service was horrible, food cold and Bathrooms were dirty. Also, I ordered one meal to go. When I got home there was only a salad, and soup in the bag. Bottom line, Benihana has lost their touch! Will never go back to this location! read more

Carlos was a great chef and the food was outstanding show was the best part and I need some of that garlic butter to go lmaoo

I've been to this location before and honestly I've never completely satisfied and the reason I returned was due to a company lunch and my boss chose the location. Anywho, this time around I was ultimately SATISFIED. Our server Paulet was amazing! I can not stress that enough. She was attentive and her service was outstanding! Will definitely come back and bring my friends out for dinner here. Paulet gave us a completely different outlook on the restaurant. If I could give ten stars I would! Well done Benihana! Great hiring decision read more

At first I thought it was just busy but came to realize that the service is not good. We went in for lunch (party of 2) and it was pretty empty in the bar area. We ordered and received or food about half hour later. I ordered a Filet mignon and received a regular steak that was cooked beyond well done. I had asked for my filet to be cooked to medium. The other steak we ordered was also very over cooked and that one was also asked to be cooked to medium. After a disappointing meal I overheard a woman in management telling a guest "if you don't like it then go somewhere else". That's when I realized that Management, cooks, and service was bad. Well not really the servers fault, she was over worked and they were under staffed. I'm never returning here! read more

Found the taste of the food super underwhelming, especially considering I paid $25+ for average stir fry. There's not much flavor to the rice or chicken. It is nice to see them make it in front of you, but not worth. read more

Had an amazing time here! Chef Sarah gave us a wonderful show and the food was delicious! Couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Sara is the best! Only female chef and definitely one of the best! Thank you for the experience Sara!

I decided to retry this location despite past experiences and skepticism of going with a large party. Yet this may be the best benihana experience we have had thanks to our chef Juan. He definitely made it memorable and kept us laughing the whole entire time. The food was delicious as well. read more

Great sushi ! I love the food ! I haven't ever had sushi from here and I love sushi and by surprise, it was amazing !

I ordered a rare steak and a medium rare. Pictures show both my orders. Not only were they not labeled, but they're both well done!! What's so hard about cooking the steaks less? read more

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I really payed 40 dollars for a plate like this? Ridiculous don't go here. It's overpriced to the max. All I got is 6 peices of chicken and 9 peices of a steak the rest was just veggies and rice. Your better off going to McDonald's honestly... read more

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

This is my six time coming to Downey Benihana's and I always have the worst service you definitely got to look into having a general manager on site I called nobody ever answer the phone to place a order. I come in there's only three tables of bars dirty. Talk to a manager about my concerns. He is way to busy. Please need to have some that care about service. And retrain staff. Please thanks read more

I've always loved benihanas. But this restaurant had the best service. Taylor at the front was helpful and seated us quickly. Then our Chef Yovany was an absolute delight. Jokes and food are the best. He kept me entertained through out. I'm definitely coming back and hopefully Yovany will be there lol read more

Benihana - Downey - Yovanny making the best rice. awesome chef - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Chef Sara was AMAZING, she went above and beyond on our first visit. Not only was the food bomb but also the whole experience she dis made this an amazing dinner. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Sara did an amazing job at our dinner table tonight!! Loved it girl!! I will come back this restaurant because of her!! Loved it!!

Our server Sarah was simply outstanding!!!! She was funny, creative, knew what each one ordered. The food tasted great that I already wanna come back for more.. Thank you!!! read more

JUST HORRIBLE. We were walk ins, and we understood that there was going to be a minimum 45min wait. But then we were approached by ashley after 45minutes letting us know that our table was just being cleared and we were going to be seated shortly. An hour and a twenty minutes later we are still not seated. We politely asked Laura (front desk) if we can speak to our server that brought us beverages because now we are waiting in their smaller tables. She said your server wasn't around to service us anymore and when we asked for her name she said she didn't know it. I mean HOW do you not know the servers on your shift. We approached Lily (another front desk person) and asked if it was going to be longer, she replied with about fifteen more minutes. When we all were beyond hungry and we're going to get up to leave, Laura very rapidly placed our check on our table( probably thinking we were going to leave without paying)Didn't say anything, didn't apologize, Nothing, just placed the check on the table and took off! We paid, asked Lily why such horrible customer service she said (very rude) we only prioritize to reservations and they never quote anyone on time to be seated and rolled her eyes. I simply asked for their names and left. They were both really rude. We have been to other Benihana (as walk-ins!) and have NEVER experienced something like this. Won't be coming here again. Should have listened to everyone's reviews on here about this place, but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. read more

Came in sat right down this is the first time we got one whole side to ourselves. Last time we came the stove wasn't on so now we always check when we come. The server kept messing up our order. BUT thank goodness the cook handled it fast and she was very good. The first time I seen a cook with gloves on. She was very interactive and had some corny but funny jokes. And the food was delicious read more

Sara did an amazing job and put on good show for everyone and I really enjoyed it so did everyone at the table.

We ready to enjoy the show and my birthday dinner! So glad I decided to come here! It's so clean and staff is super friendly. Will definitely come again soon!!! This is my loves first time here I know he is gonna be so amazed! read more

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

Finally made it to the Downey location last night. Made reservations on open table. We waited a couple months with hopes they would have all their issues worked out being a new location. We were seated right away. A good sign. The servers were very slow in getting to us. It was not very busy at the time so not sure what the hold up was. Appetizers came one at a time. My husband was done with his then mine came. The others at our table also had sporadic delivery. Henry our chef was perfect! All at our table seemed satisfied with their food. He was very entertaining as scripted. Service, outside of our chef, was disappointingly slow. We reordered drinks, they took forever. Water glasses were empty and we had to ask for refill. On a positive note: food was wonderful! read more

celebrated my birthday superrr last minute (literally before closing) and chef precious was so cool!! her food is literally the best (i didn't have to ask for any extra garlic butter) and she was so funny(': definitely gonna have to commute from west covina go downey just for her read more

The Benihana experience was amazing especially having Sara as our chef. She was very welcoming and kind and did an amazing job on the service and food! read more

Sarah was an amazing cook, 10/10 service. I would recommend to request her. She will not let you down

Worst Benihana location in the greater LA/Orange county. Stay away! The wait time is always ridiculously long, and I'm not talking about waiting to be seated, I'm talking about waiting for your chef. The wait staff is always incompetent and slow to make things worse. Save yourself the headache and go to Torrance or Anaheim. read more

perfect place! i recommend sara! only female cook and can put on a show! very creative young lady !

she the best sara Chicken Fried Rice friendly food was good please come n she her she will nmake ur food good read more

Benihana - Downey - she the best - Sushi Bars Near Me - Downey, California

Sarah is amazing!! This is thee best tasting food I've ever had at Benihana! I definitely plan to come back and I hope I get her as my cook!

Only reason I'm giving a 2 is because the scallops and steak on my order where cooked very well. However, the vegetables where ridiculously over salted. Not much of an union or mushroom guy so I wasn't going to eat them anyways but wife was disappointed. Mind you, this is all after we waited over an hour and fifteen minutes to be seated with a reservation. The host stated he didn't know they where taking online reservations. Not only was my reservation confirmed online via email but I called 30 minutes prior to arriving to make sure my table would be available and he said yes. Sad part, my kids enjoy this place but this is the 2nd time they have done this to us. I don't see the point of making reservations if you have to wait over an hour to get in. Sadly to say, Benihana has lost my business. read more

Amazing service! They didn't make us wait at all. I made a reservation at 12:30 arrive at 12:15 and at 12:16 they let us in. We waited for the chef a little bit but nothing too wild, the wait was worth it. Out chef was very charismatic and make us laugh a lot with his jokes. We had a blast at Benihana. Five stars to chef Quail!!! read more

DON'T COME HERE. The food wasn't even cooked! And there's no point on making reservation if they're not going to attend us for 2 hours.

If I could give no stars I would. The service was extremely terrible as soon as we got here. We had an 8:15 reservation, we were told to wait a few minutes as they sanitize the table. We ended up waiting 50 minutes before we got seated. Our waiter wasn't great either, although he was nice he did not check up on us at all. He never refilled our drinks and he forgot our appetizers. Our chef was a very sweet but we did not get much of show while she was cooking the food. After we were done eating it took the waiter about 30 min to come for us, he gave us the check and that was it. It was my brother in laws bday and they didn't even sing happy birthday to him. I will not be returning. I do not recommend this place read more

Had a reservation for 9:45. We weren't seated till 10. The cook didn't show up till past 11pm. The wait was bad but I was looking forward for the food. The chicken tasted raw. The shrimp tasted raw. Rice was okay. As I was walking out, I saw we were the only table still there. Horrible experience. I do not recommend. read more

Chef Sarah! Was Amazing and Quick. Best Chef We've had in Downey. Awesome experience for a Friday evening Dinner!

Everything was great. I came in without a reservation, and my party was quickly added on to the next table. The staff (Grace) and chef (Chico) were very accommodating. read more

Food was great, and our chef Sara was amazing. The wait was a little longer than I would have liked, but overall a good experience.

The worse service ever!! Will definitely not be coming here again. First of all the chef didn't even introduce himself so we didn't even know his name. Second he didn't even do a small show for us to keep us entertained didn't even have a conversation with the group. The food had no flavor the shrimp was disgusting the steak didn't even taste like anything. Our fried rice was left on the grill for a while before it was even served to us so some of the rice was hard. We speak to a manager what's his response oh he's new. Wow really! I get it people get nervous on being their first time but this chef has no personality I wish I had asked for his name but this is Job is not for him. But the fact that we get a response of oh he's new just shows you the lack of customer service this manager had. We definitely won't be coming back here again. I gave it a 1 star only because the waiter Isaiah was nice . read more