Best waba grill I have ever been. In Los Angeles or Orange County. Taste, hospitality read more

WaBa Grill - a tray of food in a restaurant - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

The most sweetest workers, they welcome you with a smile and such friendly upbeat attitudes. A clean, calm environment and food taste great:) read more

My friends and I found ourselves needing to kill time in this area yesterday night. Not in the mood for pizza or subway, we found ourselves at Waba Grill. I think they opened recently. Since it was our first time, we asked the cashier what we should order. He recommended one of the plates. He also showed us the condiment area where we can supplement our meals with onions, jalapeno/carrots, hot sauce, soy sauce, etc. 3 of my friends ordered the Chicken Steak Plate and since I'm special, I ordered the Steak Plate. For under $10, it was SO much food. We were stuffed!! The plates come with rice (brown or white), your choice of protein, salad and some fruit. As someone mentioned in their review, the picture on the menu shows a mixed fruit assortment and what we did receive was an orange. According to the cashier, they try to use what's seasonal and are in works of getting a mixed fruit assortment. Loved the light sesame (I think it was) dressing on the salad and the meat was tender and delicious! The chicken was almost sweet! The steak plate is made with rib eye, so you can taste the quality in the meat. Yum. Side note: If you've ever been to Literati cafe in LA, their Fiji Blue ice tea is one of the BEST. Waba Grill's passion fruit iced tea comes in as a close second!! Sweet and light. Pros: - Staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. - Food quality and price can't be beat. I would say this would be a great place to have a filling, healthy lunch. - They have a parking lot-- love that! Maybe cuz in LA, you rarely can find a parking lot. - Decor is bright, simple and super clean Cons: - Didn't experience anything bad while we were there. read more

See all

Salmon is dry. They drizzle a bunch of sweet sauce to cover up the dryness. Brown rice is hard, just not my preference. I feel like it was a waste of my $10.75 for the salmon plate. I'd rather go to flame broiler. $1 for no rice, just veggies. Unlimited green onions, jalapeño carrots and special sauce. It's a typical fast food joint to get you by. read more

WaBa Grill - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

Finally, a healthy rice dish option instead of my favored Hawaiian plates. Walked in and was immediately greeted by the crew. Haven't had Waba Grill in a while so they explained my options. They also offer brown rice instead of white rice, veggies instead of salad. After a few minutes, I settled on the chicken and rib plates with salad and fruit (sliced oranges that time). The chicken was moist not dry. Ribs was delicious as well. The dressing on the salad was yummy. Getting a double salad next time instead of fruit. Just added some hot sauce on the chicken and ribs and it was close to perfection. The service was good. The crew was quite friendly and chatty. Parking was decent since they have their own saved spots in a shared shopping strip. read more

First time ordering from Waba and was fairly disappointed when I unpacked dinner at my mother's and found that the salmon plate that I ordered for her was seriously lacking salmon. #firsttimelastime read more

WaBa Grill - No salmon plate. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

It was pretty good. Service was very quick and we were one of the last customers there but there was no rush or rudeness in our order. They pretty much treated us as if we came in any other time during the day. The food was delicious. I ordered the Waba combo, which is chicken and steak with the small salad, orange, and rice. I think the chicken was cooked better than the steak (it tasted a bit dry), but it wasn't bad at all. This is really one of those chain restaurants that are appropriate for lunch dates and last-minute dinner ideas for the family. It's a better option than any other fast-food joint out there and a lot healthier. My five year old loved the food and he's a rather picky eater. read more

Honestly the people there are so hard working this review is for them. However, it's 92 degrees and they have to have the doors open because there is no ac. These are awful work conditions for them. Seriously they served me with a smile and I was so impressed but I feel like the owner should be reported to the labor board and is definitely not meeting some kind of employee work conditions code. Hopefully this gets the attention of someone at Waba and they investigate. I know it's been mentioned here before. Take it serious!! read more

I just waited almost 10 minutes for my order to be taken. He said hello, but proceeded to work on other orders. However, he took the person's order who was right before me. Terrible customer service. I used to like it there. read more

This review is for the owner/management of the place!! I've been coming here for a couple months now and the service is ALWAYS amazing!!!!! Now stop being a jerk and put some AC in there. Those men and women are working so hard in the heat of the kitchen to make you money. Fix the AC!!! read more

The upscale version of Flame Broiler at the same price!! It's been a while since I've eaten at a WaBa and I honestly don't know why it's been off my rotation for so long. But that's remedied and this now has its place as a perfect post -workout meal. The WaBa Combo (half chicken and beef) in brown rice with an avocado add on is my go to jam here. Their meat is much better flavored and less dry than what I normally get from Flame Broiler. The side salad is decent. And the cantaloupe slices are a nice throw in. This location seems to have a friendly staff and it's a very welcoming WaBa. The strip mall it's in is easy to get to and usually easy to park in. Otherwise you can park across the way at CVS read more

WaBa Grill - Half chicken half beef with avocado on brown rice. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Wow the best Service I've had in a fast food place.. Super friendly here. Second time to waba grill and the gentleman who helped me with my order was super helpful and patient. I ordered the salmon salad . Salmon tasted wonderful and the greens where fresh. I was on a lunch break so the timing was perfect. Great customer service and super fast. Definitely going back to try the other recommendations. Thanks again Chris and Michael. Hope I remembered the names correctly.. read more

This review is overdue. Been her a few times and the food is so fresh. I've had the steak, chicken , and shrimp bowls. Fresh to order. Very clean restaurant and the girl in the front cashier "Nicole" is always so friendly . Every time I've come here she's so nice compliments customers and so upbeat. Definitely come to this waba grill if you haven't already. Won't be disappointed. Great food and great customer service! read more

WaBa Grill - Today I had the shrimp bowl. Add avocado ! Yum - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

This particular Waba Grill is hilarious because of how awful the customer service is. The only reason I come here is because it's a quick somewhat healthy option near my residence. After several visits here and being treated the same EVERY time - I figured a review was well warranted. There are two cashiers who truly look like they hate their lives. No greeting, at times they don't even ask what you would like to order and you just get this look like "um are you going to tell me what you want while I wait near the rice with this plastic bowl in my hand?" There's not even the decency to stand in front to the POS and take someone's order like a normal human being. These employees are robots and checking for a pulse may be required before talking to them. But anyways - after prepping the bowls and veggies or whatever tough work they do that requires them to be so crabby - they'll finally walk up the POS, take your debit card, swipe and hand it back without a "thank you" or "your order will be up soon", I swear to you we got complete cold silence as I get my card and receipt. I'll continue coming here simply because I find it comical and because Waba Grill is Waba Grill and it isn't a dining experience. I encourage anyone reading to go and experience this awesome bad service for yourself. read more

I've been to this location before and the food was not bad but this last time was a total disappointment. Do not order the salmon! It is terrible! I would say it almost looked like a sponge and had the consistency of a chicken nugget :-/ Also the brown rice is very hard and not appetizing. Apparently this is not the only location that has this issue, my boyfriend had the same experience at another location. Don't waste your money, try something other than the salmon. I did reach out to the company but have yet to hear a response. read more

WaBa Grill - Questionable piece of salmon - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

I had a horrible experience going to this location usually when I go to WaBa grill I expect a bowl w chicken on top filled up I don't expect for them to pack it but at lease fill the top I've gone to this WaBa Grill twice both times I've gone they had gave me a small portion for what I've paid the first time I didn't mind maybe it was just a rush hour and they just didn't care but I went today again and same thing happens it is very frustrating because cmon I'm paying why can't they give me what I pay for it just isn't fair read more

WaBa Grill - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

Surprisingly decent. I have to admit I thought I would regret the decision of eating here. This was mainly because every time I had driven by the place looks empty. But the inside, while empty of customers, is clean and taken care of. The chicken teriyaki I ordered was moderately priced and only took five minutes or so to be ready. Was it good? Yeah, it was good. It's fast food. My basic expectation was for a quick, budget meal. Being a step healthier than a burger and fries is an honest win. For a fast food restaurant, I would rate this well above every other fast food spot in the neighborhood. I guess that's not a challenge with nearby competition being Wendy's, McDonald's and a Papa John's. For the same price as a burger, fries and drink you can order something healthier, better tasting and easily just as filling. read more

I just wanna start on a positive note and say how great the staff are. Extremely welcoming and polite. They look like they work very hard. That being said, the food is HORRIBLE. It's so underwhelming I threw it away after 2 bites. Don't waste your money here. It's expensive and unsatisfactory. Go to a hole in the wall place that's Asian owned: the food is just as healthy (depending on what you order) and dirt cheap. Screw this corporate owned bullshit. read more

We ordered food online on 8/25/21 and went there to pick up our order but it was closed before 6pm then why accept order for 6:30pm?? We have not still get the refund yet so we are trying to dispute charges through our Bank. I even left a message online but still did not get any response yet. What a horrible way of doing business. read more

Non hygienic. They are handling money with the same hands that they handle the food. They don't change their gloves or wash their hand. Literally the cashier scratched her hair and immediately handled food. Both things she did not have gloves on. I only came here because I was desperate and the only thing around and I immediately regretted it. Will never come back hereS read more

Danielle and Chris are so great! I enjoy coming here weekly and always relying on such fresh food each and every time. I think it's the best Waba in the area because of the service and how great the food quality is. Highly recommend! read more

No hard feelings, but nothing about this was "it," for me. I've never been to a Waba but I don't feel the need to ever go back. The food wasn't horrible, it just wasn't up to par. Everything was very dry, and bland. The rice wasn't fluffy and was actually a bit hard. The waba sauce has a nice flavor but it wasn't enough to save the meal. I ordered this for in-store pick up through GrubHub. It was ready lightning fast, within just a few minutes of ordering, and as awesome as that is I found it a little suspish lol. The food was a little too ready to go if ya' know what I'm sayin'. I'm not bitter but I gotta add that when I got home I found out they didn't put the avocado on my bowl that I paid extra for. Womp womp. Hopefully, y'all have better luck. read more

Got my food fast and correct. Both of the employees were very friendly as I placed my order and as I sat there to eat. I didn't know this location was here but plan to stop by again in the future. On a side note the girl with the green tint in her hair needs to get a raise lol great sense of humor and very nice as I ordered. read more

Smelled like sewage as soon as I walked in. I was starving so I tried to convince myself that it must be from outside or next door. One employee had a meltdown when the person in front of me ordered an item that he apparently didn't want to make or didn't know how to. The girl behind the register called out the order and the other employee yelled out loud several times "You're f*ing kidding me!" In front of everyone. If that had been my order I would have said never mind, if he's that distraught by it I definitely don't want him making my food. I had to bite my tongue from sarcastically asking when I ordered if he was ok with preparing that particular dish, but I didn't want to get spit in my food. The servings have gotten smaller, making it less worth the money anyway. In general this chain is going downhill, but if I do come back, it won't be to this location. read more

I love Waba Grill.. been to many and this has to be the worst I've ever been to. The vegetables were old, discolored and soggy, the rice was hard, and the fish was decent. Considering how delicious Waba usually is, it's concerning this particular one stands out and not for the right reasons. read more

Saturday October 6, 2018 Girl who took my order was incredibly rude and clearly didn't want to be there. Ordered the tofu vegetable bowl that was undercooked and inedible. I took two bites and put the rest in the trash. Also why does the pictures show diced tofu when they serve you large blocks of tofu that makes no sense in a bowl? I will not go back. read more

A quick and healthy version to fast food. I love how you can get it over salad or vegetables as oppose to just brown or white rice. You can do half rice and half vegetables too. So many choices!! Pick your protein and pick your base. They also offer tofu for vegetarians!! Very simple yet delicious. The waba sauce adds a little something to the meal. For $1.60 you get half an avocado. Adding that to my chicken over vegetables made my bowl perfect!! This place is located in a small plaza so parking is not a problem. Make sure to check in for 1 free medium drink. read more

WaBa Grill - Chicken vegetable bowl with avocado - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

The food tastes fresh and I like how the steamed vegetables are cooked. They offer the chance to get a veggie bowl (no rice or tiny bit of it) and then the meat can be added. I got chicken this time which had skin on it and little bit too much fat on it. I will ask for fish next time. read more

I wouldn't call it "healthy". Especially when the beef I ordered was cooked in so much sauce, it was literally reduced to black sludge. At least at Flame Broiler, you can tell the steak is meat because there are chunks of it. The closest thing to actually being healthy would be their salmon. But even then, don't let them murder it by drowning it in teriyaki sauce. Obviously quality control would make a lot of difference. I've been here a few times now, each experience getting worse and worse. Black steak sludge was the deal-breaker. read more

First and last time I'll come to this location. Really disappointing salmon bowl and they completely forgot the avocado. Two tiny pieces of salmon that were dry and smelled fishy. Other bowl had rubbery chicken with no taste. Sadly neither one was edible. read more

WaBa Grill - Salmon Rice Bowl Party - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

Always get great costumer service when I go everyone seems to be in a happy mood all the time ! They must really enjoy working there I'm not even joking it's sincere good costumer service hard to find now a days keep up the great work ! Food is great I always get the chicken but the beef my fiancé gets seems good too and he loved the salmon as well. read more

Thomas Chris Luke BEST FUCKING CLOSING CREW EVER Thomas greeted me with a smile, Chris gave me a genuine compliment, and Luke what busy keeping that grill on FIRE. You want great food with good service, come HERE. You won't regret it. read more

Custom service was so so I am usually not a fan of getting bad reviews aren't really bad reviews but no customer service was so so could have been better but hey it is what it is read more

My first review of this location may have not been so friendly, but it had nothing to do with the food. I actually find the food quality to be very good. My main reason for a less friendly review was due to the loud music that was playing on the overhead speaker. To my surprise, Bryan, the manger of this location responded to my post and assure my concern/annoyance, was looked into and positive changes were made. He extended an invitation to return to his restaurant and see for myself the new changes. He also offered to refund my money of the purchased meals. The respond I received was absolutely professional. I'm glad Waba Grill has Bryan on their team making positive changes. He shows his willingness to go above and beyond to keep his customers happy. His actions of course made me happy to revisit Waba again and I'm happy to report... No complaints from me. The radio was on, but at a pleasing volume. I ordered my favorite Chicken Veggie Bowl and devoured it within minutes. Waba Grill is an excellent option to eat healthy. Portion size are great, veggies are fresh, and the meats are tender... and of course, I'll keep coming back. read more

Last time I was here, I ordered a half chicken and half steak veggie bowl with brown rice. Brown rice is normally not my go-getter, but it was pretty good and both the chicken and steak were moist and flavorful. For the price you pay, you get a lot more than what you had intended for. It's pretty filling and the sauces are on point. If you're hungry and want something healthy to eat, waba grill here in pasadena is the place to go! :D Btw, parking here isn't too bad. They have their own lot and people are constantly coming in and out of this place, so you'll find a spot sooner or later. read more

Counter lady barely made eye contact with me, when I asked for suggestions ('cuz I'd never tried Waba before) she was totally silent and when I ordered the steak plate with no rice, veg instead she looked at me with furrowed brow and said, "NO rice?!" Right, no rice. Veg instead pls. It def wasn't the plateful of meat I expected after reading the reviews. As for the veg, I got exactly 3 pieces of ice cold broccoli (at least it was crunchy!), a few pieces of tepid cabbage and a small spoonful of lettuce as a salad. There were also 3 tiny orange wedges. Reminded me of a kids meal portion, actually. The steak was tough and chewy, and even though it was covered in Waba sauce, it was still flavorless. I doused it with their hot sauce, which seems like watered down sriracha and barely got a kick of flavor going. Even the pickled carrots they have on the bar were flavorless. It's def a healthier choice on this block but for the same $ I could've had a lot more well-seasoned food and service with a smile at Hawaiian Garden BBQ on Fair Oaks next to Pollo Loco. read more

Delicious. Healthy. Great service. Not a fan of the steak or the over saucy marinade. I highly recommend: Chicken Veggie Bowl, easy brown rice, extra veggie, no sauce on chicken. Splash of green onion. Plus miso soup. The chicken is grilled to order and very tender. The veggies are steamed perfectly. Unfortunately, the miso soup is hot water + concentrated packet. It's usually not so crazy busy. On Sat though, they needed another person to help. It was crazy backlogged with orders. read more

daaaaang this Waba is legit. I wouldn't usually think to eat at one, but Chris and the team there are so friendly and helpful and the food was excellent for the price. I'm shocked their salmon is wild-caught, which is essential to me when I eat fish. They have a ton of options including plant-based choices, milk teas, different plate sizes based on hunger and variety, and fresh veggies. I'll be a regular here from now on. Thanks Chris! read more

Love this spot! So delicious and healthy would definitely come back for the salmon

I need to give a serious shout out to the best lunch time crew, Lorena, Erika, and Chris! I tend to eat a lot of waba grill and these guys stay HUSTLING. Right now with the shortage of workers, these guys deserve a massive raise. They can have a line of customers waiting and these guys keep them moving like it's a factory. Great work by these workers. Of course the food is amazing but this review is specifically to acknowledge their hard work. Thank you guys, from a Nurse that understands how hard it is to be adequately staffed during these times. read more