Our party of 16 got together for what we hoped would be a fun dinner for our mother's 80th birthday. It was not very pleasant. The least pleasant part of it was the manager, Belinda, who needed convincing to let our mother and father go upstairs and sit down comfortably before the rest of our party arrived. We were only waiting for a few more people, and our mother has a lot of health problems and was walking with a walker. Belinda's attitude was unhelpful, though she eventually relented and let our mother go upstairs and sit at the table. How charitable of her. Most of the people in our party were vegan. Our sister called and spoke with the restaurant several days before we arrived and was assured it would be easy to order vegan. Wouldn't you know: Belinda was the person who came to the table to find out if there were any food restrictions. We made it simple: no butter. What we got was the most annoying attitude possible: a long rambling speech about the different policies of the restaurant, with all of us listening and looking at each other in awe of the needless ranting with no understanding of what it's like to deal with people in a positive way. Really...just don't use butter. Food was average. Windows to the outside with filthy. Benihana is usually better. Guaranteed that there is a better hibachi experience in the Milwaukee area. The sign that I posted to this review tells the whole story: you are treated as if everyone is annoyed to have you there, so stick to the rules. read more

Benihana - Milwaukee - They mean business... - Japanese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Benihana is great for the hibachi experience. We went there for my birthday. I had a $30 off coupon which they didn't accept because it wasn't printed out so that was a bummer :/. Cali the chef was fun and talented, love the tricks! I love that they cook right in front of you and put on a fun show. The food was amazing! read more

Benihana - Milwaukee - Japanese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great dinner and food experience. The chicken and filet mignon combo is my favorite. Environment is great and hibachi show doesn't disappoint. Drinks are another plus. read more

You will scratch your head and think to yourself, did I really just eat here?! This place could really use a "refresh". Walking into a restaurant that still has carpet from the 90s and fluorescent lighting while paying $50+ per person makes me rethink my decision. This place is not under the corporate umbrella so they don't take any promotions and do their own thing. Honestly save your $100 and try something else. Sorry. read more

Drinks are great. Espresso martini made with real espresso is 10/10. Food is 8/10 for sure. This place is a good time sally. read more

Benihana - Milwaukee - Lychee Blossom Martini - Japanese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Skip this restaurant for your next celebration, family outing, or date night. Hibachi is meant to be about entertainment and a special atmosphere, but our service was not great. The chef did little to no tricks and barely even interacted with the table. Benihana is the equivalent of restaurant "sh*t- ification", meaning it's a worse version of what you used to remember. The pricing has doubled, and fried rice (which is standard at most hibachi places) is an extra cost of $7.50 per person. On top of that, the chef did not portion out the food correctly, giving my teenage son a tiny portion of shrimp even though that's what he ordered. To top it off, a 20% gratuity was already added to the bill, which made it clear why the staff wasn't trying. It was my daughter's birthday, and her "special treat" from them was just extra whipped cream on her ice cream with a candle. There are much better restaurants for celebrations at this price point. I highly recommend choosing somewhere else. read more

Date of visit: November 2, 2024 After forgetting about the gift card we received for our wedding almost 2.5 years ago, we took advantage of an evening downtown with a couple friends to use the gift card and get an extra little show with our dinner. Alyssa was our server and unfortunately I wasn't able to catch our chef's name, but he was very good at what he did; between explaining what everything was and the flashes of hand work, we were entertained while our food was prepared. We shared our table with another party and they gave us a decent amount of space so we didn't feel as though we were bumping elbows with strangers, and I appreciated that. All of the food was quite good, from my teriyaki steak and shrimp to the opening salvos of soup and salad. The sauces that were served with the meal were also good; I can't quite explain the Yummy Yummy sauce, but I know that I do think it's yummy! Really the only faux pas here was the pacing was a bit off. By the time I received my shrimp, the steak was cold and I wish I had been advised of this and I would have just treated them as though they were different courses and enjoyed them separately. read more

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My Visit: I dined at this location with my husband. We made reservations via the Open Table app. Prior to arrival we noticed that we were running a few minutes behind so we called and asked if we'd still be able to dine-in and were kindly informed that we would still be able to eat. When we arrived, we walked up the stairs to the dining area and were immediately seated at a hibachi grill with a party of 3 whom had been waiting. The waitress served the waters, salads, and miso soups right away. She immediately followed with taking our orders. Food: My husband and I both ordered hibachi chicken and shrimp with fried rice. The food was good, and they offer yum-yum sauce (important to me because I've been to a hibachi spot that did not have yum yum sauce). Service: S for satisfied. I wouldn't rave about the service, but I wouldn't say that it was awful either. Pros: allowed my husband and I to still dine-in after arriving 8 mins late, immediate and efficient serving, no problem with redeeming birthday gift certificate. Cons: Felt a bit rushed. While everyone at our hibachi grill was boxing up left overs, the employees turned the lights off on us. In their defense, the restaurant had just closed. Value: $$ We spent at least $120 for two on our visit and that includes a $30 birthday gift certificate. However; we each had an alcoholic beverage as well. **birthday gift certificate: I have noticed that a lot of people have negative reviews of this location due to the redemption process of the birthday gift certificate. It is important to print the certificate when you receive it, check its expiration date, and read their policies. I believe it must be printed, redeemed at dinner time, and you could be asked to see I.D. Can't remember all the policies but just review them so there is no issue, if you have one. Ambiance: location could use a deep clean, especially the carpeting. Location: 850 N Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: (414) 270-0890 read more

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Food was good but they seated 9 people at a table clearly designed for 8. They didn't get the deserts out after following up on it. The bill had errors in it that required corrections and a built in a 20% tip - that I would not have left based on our service. read more

Got the seafood noodles and steak. Food was great. Khalid was amazing. Best show I've seen in a while! read more

Benihana - Milwaukee - Khalid working his magic! - Japanese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Every surface in the place was FILTHY. The hibachi wasn't truly hibachi - no show, no flavor, no fried rice (extra $6.50 up-charge. Weird, tense atmosphere for a crowded restaurant. Soup was clearly not homemade, nor mushroom flavored. Salad was limp and the dressing had zero flavor. But the best part was when they dumped frozen corn kernels on the grill and said "here's some Japanese corn." It was comically bad at this point. 2 adults and 3 kids = $300. Stay far away. read more

Is there any other place to go downtown to get hibachi? Maybe, but Benihana is the spot to go to if you have a large group and want to get hibachi and you're downtown. Parking stinks, but it's not their fault. The folks are super nice, from the host to the servers, and the person making the food. It's definitely an experience and I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a good ole time. read more

Benihana - Milwaukee - Japanese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dining room is dirty. Floor is sticky. Restrooms were in need to cleaning. The food is ok, but it is very expensive.

We were a party of 3. Not busy when we arrived, but eventually it picked up. We were greeted promptly by our waiter, took drink orders, and soon thereafter he came back promptly to take our orders! The other gentleman came out to start our dinners at the table. He was very good , and very prompt, and entertaining!!! Everything from my scallops to my husband's hibachi chicken, to our friend's sushi platter was outstanding!!! We truly had a wonderful time!!! Thank you for everything!!!!!! I hope to be back soon! read more

Honestly I'm glad I didn't check the reviews before I went here. The outside is a little off putting because it's an old building that doesn't look like it's been updated. We went for downtown restaurant week because they had a deal and we love hibachi. We made a reservation and we're sat immediately. Our waitress was quick and got our drinks in a timely manner. I really liked our chef as well. He didn't talk a lot but he definitely would if someone started to strike up a conversation so he was able to adapt to different crowds. This was some of the best tasting hibachi I've had. It was super flavorful. I do wish the vegetable portion was bigger but overall I enjoyed my meal. read more

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Everything was good, nothing was great. The food was pretty ordinary not 40$ worth the service was good not 20% tip good. Everything was just ok and there's better hibachi places to go for food and cost read more

We had hibachi and sushi and everything was just meh. The prices are way too high for that. The atmosphere felt like a cafeteria. I have been to Benihana in the past and it used to feel special and taste great. So disappointed. We work hard for our money and even with my birthday coupon we feel ripped off. read more

Stopped in here before the Bucks game. Reservations are recommended, but we got right in without them. Started out with some warm sake...took the chill right out of our bones. We both had shrimp and chicken combo. The chef was a delight. Very polite, friendly, and put on a great show. Everything was cooked to order with perfection. The only complaint I had was the prices. But then again with the economy, it's expected. Not a big thing since we don't come here that often. read more

The host, server and buss boy were great. But our cook seem to have something against us. There was extras of everything and the cook gave them to literally everyone at the table except us. I asked him to put my husbands mushrooms on my plate...he gave them away. The rice was crunchy, asked for medium steak & got well done, chicken was very dry, and everything was over seasoned. My husband used the bathroom before we left & said his shoes stuck to the floor. Definitely not worth the price raises. read more

I went to Benihana for the first time for my birthday! Two friends accompanied me here. I'm surprised I didn't take more photos of my food. I'm obsessed with sushi, but wanted to try the hibachi. So our group ordered sushi to share and we all got our hibachi. I'm not sure if it was the group we were with or that it was the end of the night, but the chef did not do anything fun. He basically cooked the food while we chatted. There was absolutely zero entertainment or engagement. Which is fine. I was really neither here for there but I'm assuming it's priced for entertainment as well. Service was friendly. Food was fine. But honestly? I wouldn't bother returning when there's other better sushi places out there. And probably better hibachi. read more

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The weirdest "dining" experience of our lives. Do not come here. There is not enough time or space for me to fully explain what when on when my husband and I ate there last night. From the tired dated interior, cafeteria lighting, the mass amounts of clueless employees that seemed to not know why they were there or why we were there to forgetting half of our order when we were the ONLY people seated on the main floor. Our "server" took our order and then we didn't see him again the entire night. Anything we asked of the "bartender" as we were seated at the bar he went to a restaurant phone to call someone and ask. I asked him what martinis they had he had to call then proceeded to show me margaritas and did not know what a Sapporo was. He had a headphone it the whole time and there way random "employees" sitting watching videos on their phones doing nothing. They automatically add 20% gratuity which is absurd especially when you aren't doing hibachi. The sushi was fine, but over priced and we never got our full order. We had to ask for water, plates, soy sauce, glasses for the large Sapporos etc. It was comical how poorly everything went and it is impossible to understand how the are in business. I used to think Benihana's was a place for special occasions, but any hole in the wall restaurant is miles above this place. We almost walked out the minute we walked in, but we were tight on time for evening plans to follow. Do not make our expensive mistake! Go to Screaming Tuna or really anywhere else. read more

Food-bad. Service and wait time- bad. Drinks-bad. Ambiance lacks any form of joy. Chefs were short staffed. Waste of money. Been to plenty of hibachi and Benihana but this place is terrible. read more

I honestly feel like reservation times should be honored. Having a reservation at 530pm and waiting over 30 min to be sat is ridiculous honestly. And no one tried to accommodate us. Food was good sure but I'm more worried about responsibly on reservation times. read more

Food was horrible. Very expensive for sub par food and service. There was a 3 hour wait for the hibachi, so ate at the restaurant area downstairs. $170 for 3 people with food we barely ate. Save your money and go somewhere else. read more

Went to Benihana for a friends birthday this past week. It was a pretty standard hibachi experience. The food was good and they did have a good amount of options to choose from on the menu for hibachi. The room where the hibachi service takes place has a lot of grills and tables in it, which leads it to be very loud and have a lot going on, especially if there are young kids. read more

Benihana - Milwaukee - Hibachi - Japanese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Very horrible experience management was even more rude then the subpar waitress and cook we had elana was her name

Great meal once again, enjoyed our chefs commentary great atmosphere. Had a nice family sharing our table.

We were there on a Saturday night, prime time....there were 4 free grill tables....now I know why ! my husband and I were There with our 7 grandchildren, ages 11 to 17 . The Chef we had cooking in front of us barely cracked a smile......he never interacted with any of us . We have been to several types of this kind of resturant.....you either get steamed rice or fried rice . At this resturant, the fried rice is an upgrade. It was tasteless....all he did was throw some soy sauce on it . Least amount of vegetables we have ever gotten with the meal. It was a disappointing experience . The washroom in the waiting room was dirty to boot . read more

Yummy for lunch and team outings. We spent our co-workers bday at Benihana for lunch and had a delicious meal! I had the lunch duo with chicken and steak. YUM! The steak was a little overdone but otherwise the food was delicious. That ginger dressing on the house salad was divine. The overall look and feel of this Benihana is in need of an upgrade. Perhaps a re-design, if possible a patio installation (prime spot in the heart of the city) I always thought the location was closed based on the exterior look of the restaurant. There was a bit of an odor perhaps due to the aged carpet. Would love to see this place shine and match the experience the staff brings to the table for its customers. 20 points to our amazing server, Uriel who took care of us and brought out a birthday treat when I informed him of our co-workers bday. He was prompt in making sure our needs were met during a busy lunch hour. Thanks for being you Uriel! read more

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How this place has stayed in business for so long is beyond me. It's dirty, service is poor and the food...well let's say if this is what people think Japanese food tastes like, good luck. We went here with friends who picked as it was near our hotel. They were embarrassed. Not their fault. The only thing my daughter enjoyed was the cooking displayed. That's all. read more

It has been years since my wife and I have been here and I will say that it will probably be a long long time before we possibly come back again. Although everyone was very nice, the service was lacking and pricing deceptive. The waitress, multiple times, forgot to bring drinks back to the people at our hibachi table and the chef's performance was underwhelming. We also were not informed that fried rice was an extra charge as well as the fact that an automatic 20% tip was charged even though there was only two of us on the bill. read more

Doors locked upon arrival. Sushi chef gone during lunch, no sushi. No table side hibachi for lunch - fine but advertise that. I asked for an appetizer and the server said "Well, I guess I could make that for you but it'll take a really long time..." Okay, I know "no" when I hear it. Food arrives after a long while... cold. The ambiance is cold and a long way off from the premium Japanese hibachi experience that gets advertised. During our meal there were many customers coming in for a pickup and just lingering and hanging out. Nothing wrong with that at all, if this is a casual pickup deli or whatever; but it's a mismatch for the vibe. I did, however, pay the expected hibachi price for my lackluster meal. One star - and a hope for improvement for them. Hard to keep a place like this in business if it performs like this. read more

This restaurant deserves zero stars and don't deserve your patronage. I have to blame the owner, because there is clearly no quality control. We had a 630 reservation, the chef got to our table at 8pm. The plates were greasy I had to ask for them to be replaced. One of the hibachi tables had a bucket on it because the roof was leaking. I'm actually upset at myself for not leaving, but it was my daughter's birthday. Servers were nice, but could only be described as "amateur". Water was served out of a banged up metal pitcher. This experience was so bad, I won't be going to any Benihana restaurant ever again, because clearly that organization has no quality control. read more

I see a lot of bad reviews for this Benihana but my experience was good! The food is good & great service. Majority of the bad reviews are regarding people not reading the birthday certificate. Only can use it Monday - Thursday( DINNER ONLY) + NEEDS to be printed out. read more

Came here for my 30th birthday! The food was really good and I enjoyed being able to watch the chef make the food in front of us! It was also nice to be around all my friends enjoying their company together celebrating me! Our table was smaller and secluded which was nice. Our chef was interactive but not as much compared to the other hibachi restaurants I've been too. The service wasn't too bad once we got seated, but it wasn't welcoming when I first got there and it's a bit confusing on where to sit and go. They won't start your hibachi service until all your party is there, forewarning. Their fish bowl drink was good and the food was fresh. The inside could use a bit more upgrading but other than that it was a good overall experience! read more

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I love Benihana's. I think my favorite is Rocky's choice but everything I have eaten There has been absolutely delicious. It''s fun too. Also, the tempura shrimp is just out of this world and the ginger sauce makes it!!! read more

Poor service We've been dining for years with Benihana all outlet in Illinois especially Wheeling. And we are very happy and we always comeback, It's so happen we went to this location, very poor quality of food. And they don't cook in front of you, it's on the other table . We ask the server, she said they have their own rules and policy, that's the exact words she said. They are different from other Benihana. We are very dissatisfied and disappointed. read more

I'm here right now. And it's my birthday lmao... So... let me put it to you this way. I walked in, it's like a subway for hibachi. I ordered the vegetable sushi roll, THEY PUT THE SALAD THEY GIVE U AT THE BEGINNING IN THE ROLL AND THATS WHAT THEY CALL THE VEGETABLE ROLL. I'm going to pay and leave. read more

I love the food. I love the fact that they cook it right in front of me and we can watch them play tricks with their food. Do everything that they need to do. I love this place and I will recommend it to anyone. They services are wonderful. read more

Good evening May 24, 2023 I was at one of your restaurants with a graduation party for my step daughter. The host was so rude to my partner after the fact all my party wasn't here all at the same time an she told us we have to wait to get seated at once she said it with a attitude. The service was not at part we was sitting waiting on a serve to come to a party of 9 people it took you guys served 20 min to come great us so we gave her are drink order an food at once it cook again 15min for that also she never brought us no water ok I ask to speak to a manager while she finally brought out a soup. It was a party of 8 came in 20 min after us an they got took an care of right away I told the manager what was the issue on hand was he stated he was sorry but it's nothing he couldn't do anything about it the point is it not busy at 630pm it after talking to the manager I didn't honestly was to eat hear how they treat me an my family an close friends. I will not be coming back my chef was on point but the experience was so not up to part. read more