Orlando Fuji Sushi — Restaurant in Alafaya

We called and asked if 9 people could fit at a hibachi table. They said yes, so we made a reservation for a hibachi table at 5 pm. We walked in and the host said. "Oh - did you know we don't have hibachi on Monday nights?" We explained that no - of course we didn't know because we specifically made a reservation for a hibachi table. They apologized and told us we could order off the teppan menu, it just wouldn't be cooked in front of us. Though frustrated, we agreed to stay for dinner. OUR MISTAKE.

5 of us ordered teppan plates, 4 ordered sushi. It took over 25 minutes to get edamame...about 45 minutes for the meals to start coming out. The teppan plates came first - 1 or 2 at a time. Every single thing on the first 3 plates was cold except the rice. Chicken, steak, and lobster - all cold. Noodles and vegetables - cold. When the server came back with the 4th plate, we told him our food was cold and showed him that the only thing hot on the plates was the rice. He said, "Yeah - the kitchen is a hot mess right now. Ummm...let me go see what I can do." He was gone TEN MINUTES. We just sat there not eating our cold food. When he finally returned, he had the sushi with him (55 minutes from when we ordered it if you're counting) and said that he'd talked to the manager and the manager said that we had 2 choices: we could either have them re-cook the food, but it would take just as long as it already had - or they could microwave our current plates. We asked to see the manager. The 4 people that got the sushi started eating. We waited another FIVE to SEVEN minutes (long enough that they were finished with the sushi) for the manager, Junior, to finally show up at our table. That was over FIFTEEN MINUTES from when we first pointed out that our food was cold. (The food could have easily been re-cooked in that amount of time of course). Junior told us he could re-cook the food, but it wouldn't be fast. When we explained that we were extremely unhappy with our choices AND the fact that it has taken him over 15 minutes to even come talk to our table, he nodded that he understood and apologized. He asked us what we wanted to do and we all agreed that we were starving and not willing to wait another 45 minutes to eat, so we just wanted to leave. He said he understood and he'd "go take care of the check." 5 minutes later, the server reappeared and said that the manager had "taken care" of the meals we didn't eat (because they were cold) and then presented us a check for $38 for the sushi that half our party ate while half of us sat there without food. That's when we all were done. We explained to the server that it was TERRIBLE customer service to expect us to pay when they ruined our entire party's meal...and we still had to go somewhere else to eat!! He agreed, but said it was up to the manager - who had completely disappeared again by this point.

This place needs a complete overhaul. Re-training, better staffing, and a basic understanding of customer service. This was our 3rd time there - we've never had stellar service, but nothing like this. It was not busy at all tonight, so there was no excuse for the myriad of mistakes. We will not be back.

ADDITION TO MY REVIEW AFTER RESTAURANT'S RESPONSE:

You are very misinformed. We did not call and ask for ANYTHING for free. We actually walked out after an hour and 20 minutes of waiting for food, only having 4 of our party served, and being told that we couldn't have hot food unless we waited another 45 minutes or more. The fact that you would try to charge for 4 sushi rolls that took 55 minutes to get to the table AND were served without the rest of the 9 person party being able to eat was when we got truly upset and left. You ruined our entire dinner AND 5 of us hadn't eaten! We left our phone number and asked to have the general manager or owner call us...no one ever did. As someone who worked in restaurants for 9 years, I've never seen such a complete lack of customer service or basic food...

Where to start? We've been coming here ever since they opened in Waterford Lakes. But, over the last year or two, maybe more, the place has gone down hill. And, tonight, they finally frustrated us enough that we're leaving a 1 star review.

We mostly place to go orders (which is mainly due to the place smelling like really bad bathroom toilet fresheners so it's unbearable on the nose). They seem to never get the order right. Last week when we got home, they missed a few items that we paid for. Mostly my wifes order so she was pissed because she was so hungry. When we call to inform them of it, they didn't even appologize and told us we'll have a credit for our next order. "We'll add you to our wall" they said. They have whole wall for mistakes?? There's your first warning sign.

Today, we ordered again, a week later. It took two calls for them to get the order right. Then, they tell us they took off one of our rolls from the order and added a different one. What? Who does that? So they added the original roll back to the order. When I go to pick it up, they were so disorganized and the attitude on the servers and manager(?) was disgusting. Their job is to serve us and they're upset they have to?

While I was there, I specifically asked them if the roll they decided to take off the order had no seaweed on it as originally ordered that way (my wife is allergic to the seaweed which we always tell them on every order). The girl who obviously hated her life for being there told me "yea, if that's how you ordered out".

When we get home, we open everything up and find more mistakes. They gave us a miso soup instead of an onion soup (they cheated us a soup last week btw). But what was worse, the roll they took off then put double back on the order that we had to pay extra for, included the seaweed.

So we call back to tell them they messed up again and now my wife is not going to be able to eat sushi tonight with the rest of her family. They put us on hold to talk to a manager (or so they thought) because we heard the entire conversion. The manager said "i don't want to f* deal with it. F* this, f* that, and they waited to get home to say this". She got on the phone and obviously could not give a s.

She asked us to come back with it and we said no, that's a 45 min round trip. We were happy to send a picture to prove it but they were insistent on us coming back because they didn't believe us. The picture of the now infamous dynamite roll (which tasted horrible) is with this review.

If the owners read this, be warned. You're losing a lot of business from the millenial kids that don't care. Everything is an inconvenience. If they cared, you'd have more customers. Also change the scent by the front door. Another women who picked up an order when I did wss just as furious with your place but for her own reasons. Mostly around no one knowing what they're doing.

As far as us, we must have spent thousands of dollars with you, but you will not get 1 more penny from us. And you can show this to your manager as proof we were not lieing, just hungry, and wanted our order right. I don't think a correct order is an unreasonable...

BEFORE RENOVATION: Great and quick service! Hibachi and dine in are equally great! The sushi is amazing. They have a fantastic lunch special that isn't challenged by any other hibachi places around. I highly recommend! The only thing I could say is the aesthetic could be a little more interesting in terms of looks. But food is food, and the food is good (4 STARS)!

NEW REVIEW: I just experienced the new Fuji Sushi here at Waterford Lakes. I consider myself a veteran to this restaurant, having been here countless times during the week and on weekends for years, and knowing the hibachi chef and some servers on a first-name basis (I miss Danny). Anyways, unfortunately, I'm going to have to lower my rating from the well-earned 4 stars from before the changes. Brunch/lunch was a VERY big part of the positive experiences here at Fuji Sushi, and because of brunch's changes, it basically doomed itself.

The Pros: One thing that remains the same is the wonderful service from the staff. Everyone is just as awesomely nice and hospitable as before. Also, the meal was just as delicious as I remember, with well-prepared, quality food.

The Cons: My first disappointment came with the lack of hibachi tables. Being able to have the food prepared in front with a humorous chef was an awesome thing to have at Waterford. Before 2:30pm this hibachi experience was included with the $6 brunch special, meaning an amazing show for under $10.

Another disappointment comes from the non-sushi menu. I get it... They want to focus more on the sushi aspect, but the teppan options are now increased in price, with less variety (for example, noodles are no longer a part of the lunch special and cost an additional $2 on top of the increased price changes). Additionally, salad also costs more due to them removing the small side ginger salad (you can only get a larger full salad). The included miso soup doesn't strike my taste buds very nicely either.

Finally, the limitations of the non-sushi menu made its final impact with the lack of brunch beer specials and sides. $2 Sapporo is gone. And simple side sauces like the brown-ginger sauce (the one that accompanies white sauce for hibachi) wasn't even available... Instead they gave my ginger dressing for the salad, which is not the same.

The Verdict: If you're a sushi fanatic, you don't have much to worry about. The variety of sushi is great and the quality is still good! ....However, brunch and teppanyaki goers... The Fuji Sushi and Teppan from before is basically gone. The teppanyaki has taken a serious backseat with less value options and lots of menu disappointments. Because that was my main gig here, you probably won't see me nearly as much as in...