I don't like writing bad reviews but with the disappointing food and service this restaurant puts out, I am going to share my experiences. Service: staff can barely speak english and when they do you cannot understand them. The lady at the counter spends more time on the phone, talking to people in the back or just standing there totally uninviting and unhelpful when you arrive at the restaurant... Food prep: chicken, beef and everything else is pre cooked. When you order they heat it up on the grill and add tons of that sweet sauce to the meats. Totally kills it. If they took out too much meat then its returned back to the container holding all tje pre cooked meats only to be used again...reason # 1 for the dryness of the meat. Then that same lady at the counter who has been handling your money, cleaning the tables amd talking on the phone puts garnishes on the food before serving it to you. Did I mention She does not wash her hands or wear gloves? Totally gross. Price: for the less than appetizing or safe food..prices are high. I suggest going somewhere else but here. read more

Similiar to Flamebroiler like others have described. They use a sesame dressing for their salad and you get two slices of orange in your meal. You have the option for brown rice ($.80) or extra meat ($2.75). You get what you expect from a place like this. Americanized Japanese food (Teriyaki isn't really japanese, its as japanese as Taco Bell to mexican food or Panda Express to Chinese food). read more

WaBa Grill - Teriyaki Chicken and Steak - Fast Food Near Me - Walnut, California

I Have never had a bad experience at this location. The food is fairly priced. The workers i have come into contact with have provided good service. I usually get the same girl as my cashier and she is friendly. When they give me my food they always ask if I want sauce which is great because it prevents from sauce packets being wasted. The ambiance is very casual. I don't eat at the location since I eat lunch back at work. It's nothing special but i don't expect much since it isn't promoted as a fancy restaurant. read more

Waba = Flame Broiler Everything about them is the same except for one thing. The coupon at Waba is better than the coupon at Flame Broiler. I don't like their chicken. The texture of the chicken is funny. It seems soft. I don't like that their chicken comes skinless. I take cholesterol lowering medication, which means I can eat more food with cholesterol, like chicken skin. So, why do I come here almost every week? The daughter is addicted to their rice and teriyaki sauce, and the wife likes that we she can get a free bowl so she can eat later on in the week. Why are they torturing me? If only there was another place... read more

Not busy yesterday went in @ 230 pm ordered 2 chicke bowls with brown rice. My husband and I cannot eat white rice due to dietary restrictions. Got home wrong order, no brown rice as requested. tried calling no answer will not go back in the future read more

I honestly do not understand the hype with this teriyaki chain. Although the ingredients were fresh and the options are healthier than a lot of places, the taste is far from good. I tried the grilled chicken salad. The portion was huge. Huge as in 1lb+ of veggies. 80% of the salad was iceberg lettuce topped with 2 cherry tomatoes, 3 slices of cucumber, some romaine lettuce, carrot shreds, and purple cabbage shreds. The oriental dressing tasted weird and heavy--overly sweet. They do not offer Italian, so I ended up eating the whole salad without dressing. (Other options are Ranch and Caesar) I'd expect more healthy options in dressing for a place that has the word "healthy" plastered all over the windows and walls. The chicken... was EXTREMELY dry. I felt like I was chewing into chicken jerky. I can't imagine it being any different over rice. So to summarize it all, it was a very depressing meal. read more

My co-workers had Waba Grill take out many times before and it always looked and smelled so good. They said it's like a better Yoshinoya and Flame Broiler. So I finally got the chance to try to yesterday. Even though the store is small, the inside is decorated very nicely with plenty of clean space for seating. The people at the cashier were friendly and seemed to know the menu well. I ordered the Half and Half with Veggies bowl. The food was ready in about 10 minutes. I would say the portion they give you is worth the money, it is a good size with the meat covering the top of the bowl and the rest was filled with rice and veggies. The chicken and beef were tender and juicy and not burnt (like how Flame Broiler likes to do to their meat). The taste was pretty good. I pretty much finished all the meat, ate some veggies (though they were tasteless) and left a whole lot of rice. My friend and I agreed that it was good and we would come again to try something else on the menu. After a couple hours though, we both had unsettled stomachs and I guess the food didn't digest too well. Conclusion: The food looks a lot better than it tastes. Not bad though. read more

Sort of like any other teriyaki bowl fast food joint. You look at the menu, figure out what you want, go to the cashier, order it, your number is on your receipt, get your hot sauce, sit down, wait, get your food, and munch. Food isn't too bad, and they do blanche/boil the veggies when you're right there. Taste-wise, it's on par with Flame Broiler, but probably a bit more tastier (I wonder if this means more calories/fat?). Price-wise, it's a little pricey. Bowl isn't too huge (and it's around $6.49 for a bowl), but I'm not super-hungry afterwards once I have it. Combo plate seems to be a good size. They don't seem to get gift cards often, so our transaction was a little longer than normal. The cashier was pretty skilled, though, and kept calm while trying to run the gift card through. Balance was eventually figured out, taken out of the card, and applied to the check. Paid by credit card with no issues. May come back. Very clean environment, and the service was always with a smile. read more

Been putting this place off for awhile because I thought it was another Panda Express type food. My first visit, I got the salmon salad (too much salad for a small piece of salmon). Today's visit, I ordered the salmon bowl with all vegetables, no rice and onions. The order took about 5 mins to be ready and vegetables were perfectly cooked (wasn't soggy) and it's hard to go wrong with grilled salmon (waba teriyaki sauce). Overall, good lunch spot if you want something on the healthier/lighter side. read more

WaBa Grill - Salmon salad - Fast Food Near Me - Walnut, California

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So it's Waba Grill. Now with covid 19 flavoring. They have a sign that says they can't serve you if you aren't wearing a mask. Except out of the four employees on duty only one was wearing a mask properly. One lady didn't have one on at all. The cashier had it pulled down past her nose. And the guy had it on his chin so his mouth and nose were exposed. Hypocritical policy. read more

Terrible customer service. All the workers are rude. No greeting, no asking us what we would like or need--nothing. It's a restaurant, and it's your job to make a guest feel welcome. If you don't like it, find something else. read more

great healthy food, good price and service. Came for lunch and will defiantly return.

Once again I ordered ahead and when I came in to pay for my order I never got a simple thank you. The NEW girls name is Mariana and I guess she doesn't really care about customer service. Maybe she expects an additional charge for saying thank you. Doesn't really matter to me but more importantly, does it matter to Waba Grill? Not too sure, but my guess would have to be "no". read more

This has to be the most exceptional Waba Grill I've ever been to. Stop by on my way home to grab a quick bite I'm not a meat eater so I ordered a tofu bowl. Person next to me ordered a few dishes that inquired meat. Literally watch the cook cook up his stuff than cook up my stuff separately!!! chop his stuff up then take back the cutting board and the knife wash it come back just to cut up my tofu bowl . If you don't know that is the most thoughtful thing you could possibly think of he was not worried about being lazy he wanted to make sure there was no animal products in my food and I cannot appreciate that anymore shout out to you chef! I've literally had to ask people at establishments to be mindful of people that don't want to eat meat make sure yo lu don't cook there food together so thank you again waba!!! read more

Amazed truly w how quickly my food was sent out! Sweet girl helped me at checkout and I forsure will be eating here for lunch from now on

I absolutely love this place. Beyond just having the best bowls, the service is outstanding, the place is always clean. It is just a great place to eat. read more

The service here has gotten so much better. Not sure what happened but I like the improvement in the employees here. Keep improving Waba Team read more

Came here today for my usual salmon brown rice veggie bowl, no carrots, add avocado. This place is so clean, fast, fresh, and convenient. Service is great too. Friendly both in person and during the times I have called in to do a phone order. This location has never messed up my order which makes me really appreciate the time and effort they spend on each other. A few weeks ago I went to the Waba Grill on Amar and Azusa in West Covina and they messed up on two things: 1) they gave me white rice instead of brown and 2) they didn't include the green onions. I was devastated. Which reminds me that I need to yelp that location. Anyways, this place is really delicious and the calories are decent. Parking is ample. Service is always with a smile. read more

Flame Broiler rebranded? This place is exactly like Flame Broiler but with a slightly larger selection. Salmon or salad anyone? Also, the portions feel bigger. The beef here is more saucy as well. The place is large and bright. A quick and healthy choice. Just a note - The door on the side is actually locked. You have to go through the front. read more

I just came in here really quick to do a togo order. Service was friendly and quick, but good service (in my opinion), should be a given. I ordered a half steak/half vegetable bowl with brown rice for about $6? The portion size was quite large, I would have to say it was significantly bigger than flame broiler, but the meat tasted whatever. The steak was quite chewy. The bowl was also completely SATURATED with sauce, so if you're against things super salty, then ask for a reduction in the sauce put in. Overall I thought it was pretty good and worth it for the price, but nothing too special or out of the ordinary. Brown rice costs about $.50 extra. read more

Now that I don't have a need to come to this location anymore I can give a review with the opening of a newly decorated location in Rowland Heights. The service is absolutely horrible, it literally feels like a Mexican family who have no desire to provide any customer service and don't enjoy the establishment. However, when the manager is there or who I believe is the manager the service seems to be a lot better. First of all, it's true that MOST people use forks with their meals, but if someone (myself) chooses to ask for a spoon just give the spoon and not give a dirty look or bad attitude. This location is so lucky there is very little healthy places in general to eat that is reasonable in price and overall calories without wasting food. Otherwise, I would have never had to come to this god awful location and pathetic excuse for an establishment. Lastly, I think it's really rude and awkward because there is a family member of one of the workers and she literally just comes and takes up space for her & her kid (supposedly to get AC I believe), but she always gives insistently dirty looks to the customers. Yes I know you are overly obese and ugly, but don't hate on people who try to keep in good shape. If anything you should learn a lesson from it and do something for yourself. TLDR; HORRIBLE SERVICE & STINGY SERVICE read more

I used to come here SO often for their chicken teriyaki, rice & veggie bowl. Eventually, after eating their bowls so often and for so long, I grew tired of this place. I haven't craved it and it no longer sounds as appetizing to me since I ate it so frequently!! I needed a break and am still on that break. However, if I do happen to want a quality chicken veggie bowl, I would come here for it! I usually opted for brown rice and all white meat chicken, which would cost me 50 cents extra for each option. Service was always fast and friendly. Their secret hot sauce and teriyaki sauce are bomb, so take advantage of it at the condiment counter. read more

This place is great. Plenty of parking, clean atmosphere, and quick service. I usually order the chicken veggie w/brown rice bowl. The chicken is not too dry and the brown rice is soft and not too dry. read more

Order Togo and it look totally different than online picture! The salmon is so small! For $9 I should go somewhere else! And I asked for chicken on the side....they told me on the phone was 2.75....didn't mention white meat will be extra charge! read more

WaBa Grill - How online image look like - Fast Food Near Me - Walnut, California

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Food is always delicious at Waba grill, but when you experience their customer service...hopefully, you'll not be as disappointed as I was. In placing a phone order, I asked for a Shrimp & Veggie bowl. Employee on the phone read the order back to me, and I confirmed. Went to go pick up the order with receipt showing shrimp & veggie bowl paid, and disappointed when I returned to my work to eat. All I got was a Shrimp Bowl, no veggies. As a pregnant lady, NOT happy... I wanted my vegetables and didnt get them. UGH Not given what I ordered, and when I called to inquire...was told that I got what I ordered. Disappointed first time customer at this Waba Grill. read more

I was excited to try Waba after reading all the Yelp reviews.. I have to say I am quite disappointed.. With a coupon, I ordered a Salmon plate and got a free Chicken bowl.. after eating the ENTIRE Salmon plate, not even close to full.. total cost $9.12 for a plate and a bowl, no drinks.. At Flame Broiler.. total cost.. $8.88, two BOWLS with TWO drinks.. the chicken is more flavorful and tender, and one bowl will fill me up.. Plus, their teriyaki sauce tasted like a stereotype from old samurai movies, the hot sauce.. not better. Stick with Flame Broiler and their "off the shelf" Rooster Juice that's still better than Waba read more

1:12 still waiting for our food.. 20:00min ewwww.. This place is sad :-( read more

WaBa Grill - Fast Food Near Me - Walnut, California

I just ate here today and I have to say I really enjoyed the food. I had the Chicken Plate which contained Salad, Fruit, Rice and Meat. The Chicken was charbroiled and basted in their "special" sauce, which was basically teriyaki sauce. They also can add chopped green onions to the order, which I did add. The dish was very lite in taste and had a fresh taste to it. I like the fact that they don't use MSG and they don't Fry or keep the Skin on the meat. So, obviously, this is a healthier choice. The restaurant itself was clean and nice looking, granted the location just barely opened. They had teriyaki sauce and hot sauce on the side if you wanted to get extra. Plus they had extra green onions and jalapeno peppers as well. The rice was a little bit dry but the meat was not at all. Other than that I think I have a new place to eat lunch for now =) read more

WaBa Grill - Fast Food Near Me - Walnut, California

If this is going to be your first time here and you are expecting this place to be better than Flame Broiler, unfortunately, it's not! Perhaps I had too high of an expectation before trying this place after reading other yelp reviews, or perhaps I just came on a bad day. But here's what I ordered: a salmon plate with a free chicken bowl using a coupon. Total was $11.40 with a reg drink. I'll start with the cons. Chicken was really dry, I almost couldn't believe it. A chicken bowl should be one of the basics and heck, even the mall ones taste better! The teriyaki sauce was quite bland, tasted like some regular teriyaki sauce that you could get from a regular Asian market. Salmon was hard, dry and overcooked. ( Not worth the $8 something) Rice was not soft enough ( I LOVE rice so I'm very picky!) As for the pros, the salad dressing was quite refreshing, and the salad ( that came with the plate) was... fresh? But uh...that's about it. In terms of food. Service was OK. I love how they have extra green onions on the side station so you can get as much as you want! Overall, I prefer Flame Broiler's, for better meat quality as well as price. I don't think I'll come back anymore, unless there's another coupon for me to try their other stuff! read more

Salmon was delicious. I couldn't taste any seasonings. It seemed dry but it was so juicy without any strong fish flavors. All three dipping sauces when tasted individually/ separately, with lemon, or after they were mixed altogether were delicious! Very mouthwatering! Service staff was great as well! Two days in a row! read more

Yes... I do agree with the other reviews that their customer service is pretty poor. However, I find myself coming back again and again. Every time I come back, the service is getting better and better. I think it also depends on the day and the time of day. For example, I mainly go there for lunch and it's REALLY really busy. There are never smiles during lunch time. The goal for them was just to take the order, make the food, and get us out the door. It's understandable but it needs to be improved. The food is great! You can never go wrong with the half and half bowl. I go with brown rice (for an extra cost of course) the bowl looks small but there are a lot in there. I eat half for lunch and the other half later that day. Basically you will get your money's worth. Good HEALTHY food. Okay service. BUT worth coming back for. read more

I cannot account for the quality of the food but this review is for the customer service. We decide to try waba for the first time, and unfortunately we left with nothing. We stood in line (at the front) without an acknowledgment. At one point the cook who told the woman that she had people waiting (at this point we had a line of four others behind us) and the woman looked at us, full on eye contact and resumed to stay back where the cook was. I would understand if she was busy but she couldnt even be bothered to say that she would be right with us. At this point we decided to leave because we did not feel welcomed. I will avoid this location for this reason read more

Love this this WaBa grill at this location. It's next to a Starbucks on Lemon. They are super fast and cheaper than the one on Gale next to the Home Depot. Plus you don't get stuck at that drive thru and fight your way out . You get 2 chicken bowls for $11.99 instead of $24 at the Gale one read more

The food is good, but the cashier was rude and had an attitude, I don't know how she got this job when her costumer service is way too bad, I didn't even get a "hi how are you doing?" Or a "anything else?" Not even a "Thank you, have a good day" and to top it off I got my order wrong, I worked at a lot of customer service places before and I k how she doesn't have what it takes to be in the front dealing with customers. She didn't have a name tag but she was the only one wearing a red shirt. Not coming back. read more

It was good, much better than Flamebroiler. Their ingredients, recipes, everything else is probably the extremely similar but when it comes to food preparation and food quality, Waba wins HANDS DOWN. It's a bit pricey compared to Yoshinoya but I guess you get what you pay for. (ie. rubbery chicken vs. grilled chicken). I also liked how they have a little container of green onions sitting outside. As a huge green onion fan, that made my day. I'd come here way more often if they were priced a $1 less. read more

I came here the other day and ordered the chicken salad. The cucumbers were beyond bitter and the entire salad didn't taste fresh. The apple slices on the side were brown and for the cherry tomatoes, they didn't even take off the green part. This is just serious laziness. Just meh. read more

WaBa Grill - Gross. Avoid at all costs. - Fast Food Near Me - Walnut, California

POOR SERVICE! Not sure if it's the Saturday crew that is just bad but the service is subpar. Called in an order so I wouldn't have to wait in line for them to get it ready. Showed up 10-15 minutes later and they didn't even start! I clearly told the cashier that I had a phone order for said item but she probably wasnt even paying attention. No biggie, waited for my order. Crew seemed more into socializing with each other and showing each other stuff on their cell phones than actually paying attention to work. Got my order and opened it up at home. They didn't even get my order right!!! I ate it anyway because Ii was starving and didn't want to drive back and return it. From now on, I will be taking my business to flame broiler on grand where the employees don't have a stick up their ASS. read more

It's a very nice and clean restaurant, across the Walnut Tree restaurant, and the Walnut post office is just a few steps away. We ordered two salmon bowls vegetables, one with rice and another without. Both were pretty decent, good portion, plenty of steamed vegetables, and the fish was not bad. They did not give any extra sauce, so the rice and vegetables were a little bit bland, but still fine with a little bit soy sauce or salt. Service was quick, the cashier was helpful, and it's a very healthy meal. We will be back! read more

I never liked flame broiler, but this spot kicks ass. I don't know what it is, but it keeps me coming back for more. Delicious. EDIT: It's the hot sauce. read more

Waba Grill. Hmm...Its pretty good most of the time that I come here. Used a coupon that you can print online. Buy one plate and a medium drink and get a chicken bowl for Free.99. Sounds good to me. The total came to about $10.27. Ordered my food asked for no sauce on the plate. Went over to the sauce counter for my hot sauce on and it was kinda a mess. So i helped out a little bit for no charge (Tomorrows Easter ) and threw away some of the mess for my sanity. Loaded up on the sauce. Then my order came out. I asked the lady politely again "no sauce on the plate ?" and she replied kinda annoyed like.." No sauce on the plate "....hmm..thats funny spell check doesn't give me an attitude when i ask to spell check my work even though there aren't any squiggly lines. Rather be safe than sorry. So I agree customer service can step it up...just a lil bit. You don't have to be annoyed.THEN MY CHICKEN BOWL WAS SKIMPY ON THE MEAT! I thought the "Where's the beef?" old lady from Wendy's was going to pop out from over my shoulder. Either the cutting back or just weren't in a "giving" mood. Usually when i get the bowl you can't even really see the rice...like Flamebroiler..hmm. I was already home so too late. Other than that it was pretty good. I highly recommend the Waba Grill Hot sauce. Its the Bombay!! read more