Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ — Restaurant in Calgary

As a 5th time returning customer of Gyu Kaku, I am greatly disappointed by the recent decline in the quality of food, service, and overall management at the restaurant. Our meal experience was marred by several issues from the start.

First of all we were quite disappointed with the Beef Rice Bowl. The server mixed the rice and the sauce in front of us upon serving at our table and the entire bowl was excessively salty, making it almost inedible. The overpowering saltiness completely overshadowed any other flavors of the beef itself.

Now moving onto the meat, despite following the server's recommendation to cook the beef for 30 seconds on each side, the meat remained raw and cold after 10 minutes. We raised this concern with our server, but she dismissed it stating that each type of meat requires different cooking times. We then explain that we had been timing the cooking duration on our phone and noticed that the beef was still raw after 10 minutes according to the timer which is well beyond the recommended 30 seconds. Our server ignore what we said about the beef and she suggested to offer us a pair of scissors to cut the pork belly thinner to cook the food faster, but the issue with the slow cooking process was not caused by the size of the meat.

After politely expressing our concern at our 2nd attempt the server's responses were dismissive and unhelpful. She said the grill was already at full heat so she couldn't turn it up any higher. However all of us at the table notice that the flame was consistently at the bottom, there were no sizzling sound, and the grill plate was cold, leading to improper cooking of our food. She says if there were too much meat on the grill it will cause the cooking process to be slower, however we insisted that the issue with the slow cooking process was not caused by an excess of meat because we didn't put that many meat in there at the first place as we notice the grill wasn't hot.

We were seated in the middle aisle near the serving area but still struggled to get another server's attention, leading to further delay. it took us 30 minutes to grab another server's attention as no one made eye contact or passed by. The only time you can really get someone's attention is when they take your order and when they deliver your food, other times no one is around and we didn't spot any managers on the floor either although it was 6pm. It wasn't until a different server intervened that the problem was resolved by addressing the lack of air circulation in the grill. She started blowing air into the grill then the problem was resolved within a couple minutes

Even though the food was finally cooked right, the whole experience was ruined which detracted significantly from what could have been an enjoyable meal. 😭

As we attempted to escalate the matter to speak with a manager, our requests were also ignored. Our server offered a table change as a belated solution. She said we didn't need to talk to a manager because she can move us to a nearby table that had remained unoccupied. We explained that the table next to us had been empty the moment we came in, why didn't she offer to move us when we first report the problem. Now we had already finished most of our meal and the grill issue had already been resolved so there's no need to move us to a different table now.

The lack of prompt and effective resolution to our concerns, and the dismissive attitude towards our feedback only added to our disappointment. She could have asked a coworker or manager for help if she didn't understand how to resolve our issue.

Promptly resolve the problem with the correct solution should have been a priority. It took an extended period and multiple attempts to finally resolve our issue with the grill, causing unnecessary frustration and delay in our dining experience. We wasted 45 minutes when the issue could've been easily resolved in 5 minutes. With better attention to detail and responsiveness to customer needs, the overall dining experience at Gyu Kaku could have been...

This review is not intended to reflect negatively on any server other than Anne. They are all amazing, and Manager Amy’s attitude was exemplary, and she is professional. I want to thank them for their excellent service.

However, the service provided by Anne significantly impacted my dining experience during the "All You Can Eat" option. I have visited this restaurant numerous times and have always enjoyed the regular menu items, as well as the quality of service. When the restaurant recently introduced the "All You Can Eat" option, my party decided to give it a try.

Throughout my visits, I have always been polite and respectful to all servers, consistently saying “please” and “thank you.” Unfortunately, when we were seated by Anne, she did not acknowledge us with a smile, nor did she offer a warm greeting. We proceeded to place our first order, and when the grilled items became overcooked, I politely requested a grill change. Anne, who had just served the table next to ours with a smile, immediately turned away and did not wait for me to finish speaking.

I understand that she may have been busy, so we waited an additional ten minutes before she returned. I requested the grill change again and began to place our second round order, but she left before I had finished. Throughout the entire meal, Anne did not check on our table or offer a smile. After another twenty minutes of waiting, we finally received the grill change.

We continued to wait for our second round of food, but after over 20 minutes, nothing had arrived. It seemed she may have forgotten about our order. When she eventually approached, she seemed confused and asked if we wanted to order something else. We clarified that we were still waiting for our second round, and she went to check the system without any response. Additionally, we did not receive any water refills until we specifically requested them.

While I acknowledge that the restaurant may have been busy, the overall lack of attentiveness and courtesy from Anne made the experience less enjoyable. Despite this, I continue to appreciate the efforts of the rest of the staff and will certainly return to enjoy the regular menu and the service of...

If you're looking for an interactive, flavorful, and delightfully immersive dining experience, Gyu-Kaku delivers on every front. From the moment we were seated, the ambiance felt warm and inviting—perfect for both casual dinners and special celebrations.

Food & Presentation: The menu is extensive and thoughtfully curated. We opted for a selection of meats including beef short rib, pork belly, garlic shoyu chicken, and premium steak cubes—all served fresh and beautifully plated. Each cut was well-marinated and grilled to perfection at our own pace on the in-table grill. The variety was ideal for both first-time diners and returning guests.

Standout dishes:

Garlic Fried Rice served in a hot stone bowl—savory, aromatic, and comforting.

Tonkotsu Ramen—deep umami broth with a perfect soft-boiled egg, tender meat, and noodles that held their texture well.

Crispy Chicken Karaage—golden, juicy, and served with a creamy dipping sauce that elevated the flavor.

Udon Stir Fry—light yet satisfying, with crisp vegetables and thick noodles in a flavorful sauce.

Kimchi and Appetizers—the kimchi was bright and tangy with a good kick, and the fried wonton starters were crispy little bites of heaven.

Drinks: The mango lemonade and lychee soda were refreshing and beautifully served in mason jars with fruit pieces—an aesthetic and flavorful touch.

Service: The staff were attentive, helpful, and patient with grill tips and food recommendations. Our server checked in regularly without being intrusive and ensured we had everything we needed throughout the meal.

Atmosphere: The ambiance was cozy and authentically themed. The wood-paneled booths and grilling setup gave a relaxed, intimate feel while maintaining a lively energy across the room. It was clean, organized, and well-ventilated despite the tabletop grills.

Final Thoughts: Whether you're a fan of Japanese cuisine or simply love a hands-on dining experience, Gyu-Kaku offers something truly special. The quality of ingredients, attention to detail, and overall hospitality make it a place I’ll be happy to return to—and recommend...