Benihana - San Diego, CA

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1. TK

   TKSD

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food3service2ambience1

   Our reservation was at 7:15 pm. We were seated around 7:45 pm. The food was served close to 9:00 pm. Labor issues seemed to be the problem. Not enough chefs to go around. Staff is very kind.

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2. JB

   JanB

   San Diego

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall3food3service2ambience2

   Food was good, but they forgot our dessert, which comes with the meal. Also, it was my daughter's birthday and they didn't sing or give her any dessert. We usually like coming here but now we are undecided on whether to return.

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3. KM

   KarinaM

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We were celebrating my daughter's 18th birthday and we had excellent customer service. We had a very nice time and delicious food.

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4. KB

   KenB

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall1food4service1ambience4

   We waited for over an hour and a chef had yet to appear. The only food that came out was an appetizer. The manager came out and offered no excuse. The assistant came out and said we could leave and that the soda was on the house. I felt bad for the party next to us who were trying to celebrate a birthday. We left…

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5. AS

   AlexanderS3rd

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Chef Brian was Amazing

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6. F

   Foodie

   San Diego

   64 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   64 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall3food4service3ambience2

   In spite of the fact that we had a 5:45 reservation confirmed, we waited over a half hour to be seated. Unacceptable. Our waitress informed us that we should put our dinner order in before our drink order to beat out other tables as they were dealing with over booking and staffing issues. That was kind and informative. Once our chef arrived to “start the show” he was excellent and the food is always consistently good albeit overpriced. The tab was $240 for four of us. That included (to be fair) two drinks. The entrees are pricey and not going down any time soon. The noise (this particular location has eight hibachi tables all in a small room not COVID friendly) with knives and spatulas clacking on the grills was way too loud. We went to reminisce of similar places years ago. We will not go back here. This was unanimously decided by all. That said, the chef and the waitress did their best to please.

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great and fun chef!!

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8. EM

   EnMo85

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We went for our 15th wedding anniversary. We had 3 kids ages 8, 9 and 13 and they enjoyed the food and the performance cooking. The portions were incredibly filling. I was full after the salad before the rice came but LEFTOVERSSS!!! everything was flavorful, hot and cooked to perfection. I've never had a softer cut of steak before. Cost wise, for our party of 5 come prepared to spend a little more than your average sit down, but its well worth the price!

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego

   6 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall1food4service1ambience1

   After 40 minutes, we still hadn’t gotten a glass of water. Had to go to the bar to get it ourselves, drank it and went back for refills before we ever even saw the waiter again. Ordered the tempura veggies and they brought it with no dipping sauce bc they were “out” and brought us some spicy ponzu (not tempura sauce) 30 mins later after the food was cold. People at our table got the wrong drinks and our waiter brought our $70 bottle of wine unopened with no glasses and just left it on the table and never came back. So we took it to the bar to have it opened and to get our own glasses. The only redeeming part of the night was our chef - who arrived at our table 1:30 mins after our rez started. Jesse the chef was awesome and totally turned the vibe around. Overall such a bad experience for such an expensive meal and were there for almost 3 hours just to get through it!

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We wanted to add two more guests to our dining experience and they were able to accommodate this last minute change. Our server and Chef were outstanding and the service was amazing. Our Chef, Tino, was very entertaining and had us laughing the entire time. This is by far the best Benihana I have ever been to. Thank you!!!

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Nice time with my family ! Our chef was the best , I saw the other one and NAda Que Ver !!

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12. LT

    LuisT

    Baja California

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    La comida muy rica, el chef de lujo

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food3service1ambience2

    The waitress rushed us the whole time. Experience was not as usual. Not worth the $500 dinner.

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14. TW

    TomW

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall3food5service2ambience2

    The restaurant was seriously understaffed. It took 2.5 hours to get through dinner.. The table cook didn't show for about an hour after we were seated and drink service was slow. The server was friendly and the cook very entertaining. As always, the food was fantastic, though while the cook was doing his thing a spider descended from the ceiling and onto the grill! The restaurant itself is quite worn and is in need of a refresh.

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15. R

    Renee

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Took the kids there to celebrate daddy’s birthday. The food is good and service was ok. The chef took over 40 minutes to come to the table. So if you are on a time table I would say don’t go here. There were 4 adults and about 3 kids at the table. We all ordered chicken fried rice. We also asked for 3 more fried rices to go. So that’s about 10 rice orders. They doubled up in rice but in nothing else! There were maybe 1 cup of chicken for 10 cups of rice! and 4 eggs.. The show was the usual so it was fun and we were all smiling.

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16. TJ

    TinaJ

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall2food2service3ambience1

    I reserved a table for 9 for a birthday party. We were put in the back area newer box. It was ice cold. White walls made it feel like a box. We had someone come unexpectedly and asked the server for an extra chair and setting, the server initially declined and said we could NOT add a guest. He said no more than 9 to a table. I pointed out the table next to us had 10. I pointed it out because he said no no more than 9. I said not true look over there. He left to talk to a manger and brought a plate. We had already made room and placed a chair while he was gone. The cook was super slow . Our food was cold. 2 plates were not cooked very well. Wasted food after I spent 490.00 bucks. The lobster was less than par undercooked and no flavor. I have never experienced this before. We are valuable customers and continued to place many take out orders during COVID. The food was better at take out. I feel like I could have had a better experience somewhere else for half the money. Terrible ambiance and atmosphere. Although it was a bad experience and a bad start with the server, he was tentative initially, he was the better part of the visit. I am not sure if you are no longer taking pictures but it was never offered on this visit. Worst visit.

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17. b

    brianh

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall1food5service1ambience1

    this place was a dump. it used to be nice. the service was crap. waited for 30 minutes before water or drinks were offered. the cook Jared was good, his food tasted great. that was the only saving grace for an otherwise dismal experience. until they up their game dont go there expecting anything more than cheap seats, poor service and snotty hostesses.

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18. MO

    MistyO

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    My husband and I have been coming to Benihana for years from when we first met 2003 making it a family tradition for our Birthdays but sadly over the years the service and food has gone down. Our last visit the food wasn't the same nor was the service. Hope this gets fixed soon

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19. MD

    MickeyD

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food5service3ambience3

    The food and entertainment by our chef Aries was phenomenal. The downside is that it took almost an hour for food to start coming out.

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20. MM

    MyyshaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I completely enjoyed my birthday at Benihana, the service was quick and friendly

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21. K

    Kimberly

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food5service3ambience3

    Slow service, waited 20 mins for our drinks and 45mins for cook to come

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22. R

    Ryan

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall2food5service1ambience3

    Made a reservation multiple days in advance and it was still 30 minutes after when we were finally seated. Then we were informed it would be an hour and a half delay till the chef arrived. Why wait till then to tell us instead of saying when we checked in there would be a delay?

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23. h

    heatherc

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience3

    Hostess was Was rude and took a half hour to seat us Even though we had a reservation. Chef and waiter were fabulous food was good but we all ended up with an upset stomach

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Baja California

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall5food5service1ambience3

    Service was very slow, we were completely forgotten by our server after we were served drinks.

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25. CC

    ChristinaC

    San Diego

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 27, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience2

    It was 20 minutes past our reservation before we were seated. 1 hour after our reservation before we received anything to eat.

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26. F

    Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Great service and great food. Drinks were good. Everything was on time. 👌 👍

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience2

    We waited at the table for 55 minutes before the chef came to begin working on our meal. The entire restaurant was fairly dirty. The food was average at best. We weren’t expecting 5 star dining but a fun and entertaining evening. Fail.

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28. AB

    AmandaB

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Miles was our server and was fantastic! He was very energetic and you could tell he genuinely wanted everyone to have a great time. My husband and I don’t get many date nights and will definitely be back! The food was also phenomenal. Nicholas was our chef and he did not disappoint. Engaged the whole table as he cooked and it didn’t take away from the quality of the food which was absolutely wonderful. Very continuously impressed with the quality and service of the restaurant given that it’s a chain.

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 26, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    The grill and table still had remnants of the previous meal. Large piece of onion on girls and rice sprinkled around grill and table. Chef arrived and started making our food. The grill was on too high and he had to serve us our rice on our plate without bowls because the server hadn’t brought them yet and he was afraid the rice would burn. Needless to say, not everyone got the same portion and our rice was cold by the time our meat was prepared. The salad and soup didn’t come out until after our rice had been cooling off - our soup was watered down and there was no cabbage in our salad because they had ran out. Later I heard a server tell other guests they had ran out of soup! Our chateaubriand was chard and dry and my lobster was charred and overcooked because the grill was too high and it wasn’t prepared correctly. Benihana has lost their unique service and delicious food preparation I learned to expect from them. It looked like most chefs and servers were new - I didn’t even see the same manager. Definitely disappointed - I’m losing my hope that it would return to their pre COVID standards.l

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30. LB

    LizB

    Hawaii

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Took Grandson while on vacation

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience2

    It’s ok. For an Asian person

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Benihana’s was an experience. Art Chef Kevin was very knowledgeable of the meal and he served us a delicacy. Good to know he was from the south as we are from Florida and North Carolina so we were able to engage in a bunch of lightnesses that come from the south. Learned a lot that you don’t do Yum Yum sauce in California but you do a garlic sauce. The party of 6 we came in with came for the navy family and friends day. We will come back to Benihana’s when we come back to San Diego.

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33. M

    Melissa

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall1food3service3ambience1

    I have been going here for years and yesterday was the worst experience I have ever had. They seated us in an area that was VERY loud. We are used to it being loud, but this was ridiculously loud. Our server was AMAZING the only good part of our night. First, I wanted to order a to go order to take home for my husband, but I could not do it from my table I had to go up to the lounge area to order it and miss part of the show. While ordering the to go order the cashier was very confused that I wanted to order the food but have it started in 10-15 minutes she just kept saying to me that I should come back which I did not want to do because then my food at my table would be getting cold while I ordered and I would be missing more of the show. I finally ordered but since my husband is lactose intolerant I had to request no butter when it wasn't on my receipt I had to interrupt two staff members who were chatting about a test they had to take to make sure they got the allergy information the girl (same one that took my order) said "yeah I have to go tell the cooks because I can't enter that" and seemed annoyed that I questioned her. I just spent $40 on a meal and if they put butter on it he would not be able to eat it. When I returned to our table I came back to not the normal show I was used to. The chef was not energetic and spoke so low that none of us understood him. Overall I was very disappointed. We were a table of 6 and I took food home to my husband so we spent over $250 for a poor experience. Not sure I will be back.

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34. TS

    TSherm

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was our first time there and it was an amazing experience! You asked about noise level and other than screaming kids (which I know you can’t help) it was fine!

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service and food

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36. JB

    JohnB

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall2food3service2ambience3

    If you don’t have the staff to run the restaurant then you need to cut down the amount of reservations you accept. I had an 8:15 reservation and the cook didn’t come out and start cooking until 10:15. If I would’ve been made aware of that before I showed up then I would’ve just came later instead of waiting in an uncomfortable chair for 2 hours.

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37. l

    leila408

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Was delicious 😋 we celebrated 2 birthdays, and got to use our birthday certificate. Everything we had was flavorful. Definitely will go back and try other dishes.

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38. MB

    MargieB

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Jesse, our Chef was Fabulous and very Fun! He really made the dinner and our experience at the Mission Valley Benihana memorable.

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39. a

    alvarog

    San Diego

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Jake the chef was phenomenal!! One of the best and most fun experiences we’ve had at Benihana

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I know I provided a 5 star rating, and it is mostly deserved. Here is how the night went ... Our waiter, Brandon was attentive and didn't skip a beat. He was great! Our chef Pina (that is what the name tag said, but I don't think that was his actual name, and I didn't hear what he said it was), on the other hand, was a different story. The food tasted great as always, but the chef did manage to faulter in 3 ways, which made my sad because it was my birthday. 1st, he gave my son's extra rice to my BF when he ordered white rice, then I reminded him to please give my son's and my shrimp to the BF, which he again acknowledged. Yet, he put it on our plates, no more than 2 minutes after me reminding him. Lastly, he left the fat on my steak, which had never happened before. I was very disappointed by him. The manager had even come around to check on everything, but nothing had been wrong by that point. Overall good experience, and I will be back.

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